Manageable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Crest Hill?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Crest Hill, you need to earn at least $64,880/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $68,377, which means the typical resident is $3,497 above the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 19,886

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$1,135	$3,783	$45,400	$-22,977
1 Bedroom	$1,346	$4,487	$53,840	$-14,537
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,622	$5,407	$64,880	$-3,497
3 Bedroom	$1,979	$6,597	$79,160	+$10,783
4 Bedroom	$2,433	$8,110	$97,320	+$28,943

Affordability Breakdown

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

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$68,377

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$64,880

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

+$3,497

Surplus

Verdict

Manageable

Ratio: 28.5%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Crest Hill

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Crest Hill's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,709

Studio

$1,135/mo

1 BR

$1,346/mo

2 BR

$1,622/mo

3 BR

$1,979/mo

4 BR

$2,433/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Crest Hill.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

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

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Crest Hill

Crest Hill is borderline manageable — the difference between required salary and median income is just $3,497. This means most households can technically afford a 2-bedroom, but have very little breathing room for savings or emergencies.

Downsizing to a 1-bedroom ($1,346/month) or studio ($1,135/month) materially improves the math. For those needing more space, a 3-bedroom in Crest Hill pushes the required income to $79,160.

For comfortable living in Crest Hill without financial stress, target a household income of at least $97,320 — this accounts for rent being approximately 30% of take-home pay while leaving adequate room for Illinois's cost of living.

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 Crest Hill, Illinois.

With a total population of 19,886, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 9,045 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $64,880 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

9,045

Active civilian employees in Crest Hill

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Crest Hill

What salary do I need to live in Crest Hill, Illinois?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Crest Hill under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $64,880. The median household income in Crest Hill is $68,377.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Crest Hill on $68,377?

The affordability verdict for Crest Hill is "Manageable". The rent-to-income ratio is 28.5%, meaning median earners have a $3,497 surplus.

What is the average rent in Crest Hill compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Crest Hill is $1,346/month. With a median household income of $68,377, residents spend approximately 28.5% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Crest Hill?

A studio in Crest Hill rents for approximately $1,135/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $45,400 to afford this.

Is Crest Hill considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the surplus of $3,497 and an affordability verdict of "Manageable", Crest Hill is considered a manageable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $64,880 to the local median household income.

How Crest Hill Compares

Other cities in Illinois with salary requirements