FairRentWize

Boulder vs Chicago-Naperville-Elgin

Fair Market Rent Comparison — HUD 2025 Data

Quick Answer

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is 14% cheaper for renters. A 2-bedroom rents for $1,222/mo vs $1,393/mo in Boulder — saving $2,052/year.

Rent by Unit Size

Unit SizeBoulderChicago-Naperville-ElginDifference
Studio$912$849$63
1 Bedroom$1,165$1,023$142
2 Bedrooms$1,393$1,222$171
3 Bedrooms$1,797$1,528$269
4 Bedrooms$2,079$1,886$193
Median Income$78,256$79,852$1,596

Boulder

Studio
$912/mo
1 BR
$1,165/mo
2 BR
$1,393/mo
3 BR
$1,797/mo
4 BR
$2,079/mo
Median Income
$78,256/yr
Full Boulder profile →

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin

Studio
$849/mo
1 BR
$1,023/mo
2 BR
$1,222/mo
3 BR
$1,528/mo
4 BR
$1,886/mo
Median Income
$79,852/yr
Full Chicago-Naperville-Elgin profile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boulder or Chicago-Naperville-Elgin cheaper to rent in?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is cheaper — a 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,222/mo vs $1,393/mo in Boulder. That's $171/mo or $2,052/year more expensive in Boulder (14% higher).
What is the 2-bedroom rent in Boulder vs Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Boulder is $1,393/month. In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, a 2-bedroom FMR is $1,222/month.
How do incomes compare between Boulder and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
The median household income in Boulder is $78,256/year. In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin it is $79,852/year. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has the higher median income.
What is the studio rent in Boulder vs Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
A studio apartment Fair Market Rent in Boulder is $912/mo. In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin it is $849/mo.