Unaffordable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Brooklyn?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Brooklyn, you need to earn at least $34,680/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $19,286, which means the typical resident is $15,394 below the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 629

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$607	$2,023	$24,280	+$4,994
1 Bedroom	$720	$2,400	$28,800	+$9,514
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$867	$2,890	$34,680	+$15,394
3 Bedroom	$1,058	$3,527	$42,320	+$23,034
4 Bedroom	$1,301	$4,337	$52,040	+$32,754

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above Brooklyn's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$19,286

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$34,680

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

-$15,394

Deficit

Verdict

Unaffordable

Ratio: 53.9%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Brooklyn

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Brooklyn's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$482

Studio

$607/mo

1 BR

$720/mo

2 BR

$867/mo

3 BR

$1,058/mo

4 BR

$1,301/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Brooklyn.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for Brooklyn's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Brooklyn

Renting in Brooklyn is unaffordable for most median earners. The $15,394 income gap means a 2-bedroom at $867/month requires significant above-median earnings or a dual-income household to be sustainable.

For those committed to Brooklyn, the realistic options are: (1) target a studio at $607/month, which requires $24,280/year — closer to the median; (2) find a roommate for a 2-bedroom, cutting individual costs to ~$434/month; or (3) negotiate remote work and live in a more affordable Illinois city.

To live comfortably in Brooklyn without financial strain, you realistically need a household income of $52,020 or higher. This isn't just about rent — it accounts for Illinois's overall cost of living including transportation, food, and healthcare.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in Brooklyn, Illinois.

With a total population of 629, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 270 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $34,680 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

270

Active civilian employees in Brooklyn

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Brooklyn

What salary do I need to live in Brooklyn, Illinois?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Brooklyn under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $34,680. The median household income in Brooklyn is $19,286.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Brooklyn on $19,286?

The affordability verdict for Brooklyn is "Unaffordable". The rent-to-income ratio is 53.9%, meaning there's a $15,394 income gap.

What is the average rent in Brooklyn compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Brooklyn is $720/month. With a median household income of $19,286, residents spend approximately 53.9% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Brooklyn?

A studio in Brooklyn rents for approximately $607/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $24,280 to afford this.

Is Brooklyn considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the deficit of $15,394 and an affordability verdict of "Unaffordable", Brooklyn is considered a unaffordable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $34,680 to the local median household income.

How Brooklyn Compares

Other cities in Illinois with salary requirements