Free · No signup · 2026 data
Home Affordability Calculator Chicago, IL — 2026
Median home price in Chicago: $330,000. At 6.5% on a 30-year loan with 20% down, the estimated total monthly payment (PITI) is $2,371 — requiring $101,614/year in gross income. Enter your income below for a personalised estimate.
Reviewed for accuracy June 2026 by Gary Sing
Median home price
$330,000
Income needed (annual)
$101,614
Est. monthly PITI
$2,371
Property tax/month
$578
Car loans, student loans, credit cards
Calculate for another city:
How much house can you afford in Chicago at your salary?
Maximum home price at each income level: 6.5% rate, 30-year term, 20% down payment, no existing debt. Property tax (2.1%) and insurance (0.45%) included in the 28% front-end DTI budget.
| Annual income | Max home price | Max monthly budget | Affords Chicago median? |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $162,448 | $1,167/mo | ✗ No |
| $75,000 | $243,672 | $1,750/mo | ✗ No |
| $100,000 | $324,895 | $2,333/mo | ✗ No |
| $125,000 | $406,119 | $2,917/mo | ✓ Yes |
| $150,000 | $487,343 | $3,500/mo | ✓ Yes |
| $175,000 | $568,567 | $4,083/mo | ✓ Yes |
| $200,000 | $649,791 | $4,667/mo | ✓ Yes |
Assumes 20% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year term, zero existing monthly debt. Property tax at 2.1% effective rate; insurance estimated at 0.45% annually. PMI required below 20% down — not included here.
Monthly payment breakdown on the median Chicago home
$330,000 purchase price with 20% down ($66,000) at 6.5% on a 30-year loan.
Principal & interest (30yr)
$1,669/month on a $264,000 loan at 6.5% over 30 years. Total interest paid over the life of the loan: $336,840.
Property tax (2.1% effective rate)
$578/month ($6,936/year). Chicago's effective property tax rate of approximately 2.10% is among the highest of any major US city. On a $330,000 home, property taxes add roughly $578/month to the total payment — a variable many buyers underestimate when focusing on the purchase price alone.
Homeowners insurance (est.)
$124/month estimated at 0.45% of home value annually. Rates vary significantly by coverage level, age of home, and local risk factors — always get quotes before closing.
Total PITI (monthly)
$2,371/month estimated. Income needed to keep this under 28% of gross monthly income: $101,614/year.
Chicago housing market 2026
Chicago's housing market varies dramatically by neighborhood and suburb — Lincoln Park and Lakeview command strong premiums while south and west side neighborhoods offer dramatically more affordability. Cook County's property tax assessments are known for inconsistency, with significant reassessment risk at purchase. Net population outmigration has moderated long-term appreciation expectations for the broader metro.
Key numbers for Chicago buyers
- Median home price: $330,000 (2026 estimate)
- 20% down payment: $66,000
- Loan amount (80% LTV): $264,000
- Monthly P&I at 6.5% / 30yr: $1,669
- Monthly P&I at 6.5% / 15yr: $2,300
- Est. PITI (P&I + tax + insurance): $2,371/month
- Income needed (28% front-end DTI): $101,614/year
Compare home affordability by city
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Median $900,000 · income needed $244,543/yr · 1.09% tax
📍 Houston, TX
Median $290,000 · income needed $89,143/yr · 2.09% tax
📍 Phoenix, AZ
Median $400,000 · income needed $102,429/yr · 0.65% tax
📍 Miami, FL
Median $580,000 · income needed $155,143/yr · 0.97% tax
📍 Seattle, WA
Median $740,000 · income needed $195,257/yr · 0.87% tax
📍 Denver, CO
Median $560,000 · income needed $141,171/yr · 0.54% tax
📍 Austin, TX
Median $525,000 · income needed $161,614/yr · 2.1% tax
📍 Atlanta, GA
Median $385,000 · income needed $103,071/yr · 0.98% tax
Related calculators
Home buying guides
All guides →What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House in 2026?
You can get an FHA loan with a 580 credit score (3.5% down), but a conventional loan requires 620+. A 760+ score unlocks the lowest mortgage rates and saves tens of thousands over 30 years.
What Is PMI on a Mortgage? (And How to Get Rid of It)
PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) is required when you put less than 20% down on a conventional loan. It typically costs 0.5–1.5% of the loan amount per year. Here is exactly when you can cancel it.
What Is Escrow on a Mortgage? How It Works and What It Costs
Escrow on a mortgage is a separate account that collects monthly payments for property taxes and homeowner's insurance, then pays those bills on your behalf. Learn what is included, how the payment is calculated, and when an escrow shortage happens.
Home affordability Chicago — frequently asked questions
How much house can I afford in Chicago?
On a $100,000 annual income with no other debt, 20% down, and a 6.5% 30-year mortgage, you can afford approximately $324,895 in Chicago. The median home price in Chicago is $330,000, which requires approximately $101,614/year in gross income using the 28% front-end DTI rule (principal, interest, property tax, and insurance all within 28% of gross monthly income).
What income do I need to buy a home in Chicago?
To afford Chicago's median home price of $330,000 at 6.5% on a 30-year loan with 20% down, you need approximately $101,614/year in gross income. This assumes the full PITI payment of $2,371/month (P&I $1,669 + property tax $578 + insurance $124) stays within 28% of gross monthly income. Existing debts reduce this buying power further.
What is the median home price in Chicago in 2026?
The estimated median home price in Chicago in 2026 is approximately $330,000. This varies significantly by neighbourhood — enter the specific purchase price you are evaluating in the calculator above for a personalised estimate.
What are property taxes in Chicago?
Chicago, IL's effective property tax rate is approximately 2.1%. On a $330,000 home, that is roughly $578/month or $6,936/year in property taxes. Chicago's effective property tax rate of approximately 2.10% is among the highest of any major US city. On a $330,000 home, property taxes add roughly $578/month to the total payment — a variable many buyers underestimate when focusing on the purchase price alone.
Is Chicago affordable to buy in 2026?
Chicago's median home price of $330,000 requires an annual gross income of approximately $101,614 to qualify under the 28% front-end DTI rule at 6.5% with 20% down. The estimated total monthly payment (PITI) is $2,371/month. Chicago's housing market varies dramatically by neighborhood and suburb — Lincoln Park and Lakeview command strong premiums while south and west side neighborhoods offer dramatically more affordability.