City · 40,579 residents · McHenry County, Illinois
Crystal Lake, Illinois
In Crystal Lake, a typical home is worth $311,400 and typical rent is $1,468 a month. Compared with all of McHenry County, the share of households that own their home is 5 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $280,081 to $381,790.
Typical rent
$1,969a month
▲ 5.9% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, March 2024 to September 2026: from $1,691 to $1,969.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Crystal Lake is in McHenry County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of McHenry County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in Woodstock, the typical home value is $245,700: 21% less than in Crystal Lake ($311,400).
2
Nearby, in Woodstock, the typical rent is $1,212: 17% less than in Crystal Lake ($1,468).
3
78% of households in Crystal Lake own their home, against 83% in McHenry County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Crystal Lake
What homes there are in Crystal Lake, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Crystal Lake
McHenry County
Illinois
United States
Kind of home: Crystal Lake and its comparisons
Measure
Crystal Lake
McHenry County
Illinois
United States
Detached house
67%
77%
58%
61%
Attached house
10%
10%
6%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
5%
4%
12%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
17%
8%
22%
19%
Mobile home
2%
1%
2%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
Detached houses are the majority in Crystal Lake (67%), but less so than in McHenry County (77%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Crystal Lake
McHenry County
Illinois
United States
Year built: Crystal Lake and its comparisons
Measure
Crystal Lake
McHenry County
Illinois
United States
Before 1960
16%
18%
38%
26%
1960–1979
25%
20%
26%
24%
1980–1999
40%
36%
20%
25%
2000–2009
13%
20%
11%
14%
2010 or later
6%
6%
6%
11%
The typical year built in Crystal Lake is 1986, about the same as in McHenry County (1989).
Homes in Crystal Lake are smaller: 68% have 3 bedrooms or more; in McHenry County, 73%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K5%
$100K–$200K13%
$200K–$300K29%
$300K–$500K47%
$500K–$750K5%
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Crystal Lake and its comparisons
Measure
Crystal Lake
Under $100K
5%
$100K–$200K
13%
$200K–$300K
29%
$300K–$500K
47%
$500K–$750K
5%
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
By price, most homes in Crystal Lake sit under the FHA limit for McHenry County ($541,287): about 94%.
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99913%
$1,000–$1,49937%
$1,500–$1,99931%
$2,000–$2,49911%
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Crystal Lake and its comparisons
Measure
Crystal Lake
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
13%
$1,000–$1,499
37%
$1,500–$1,999
31%
$2,000–$2,499
11%
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$2,239 a month
McHenry County: $2,137 a month
Without a mortgage
$984 a month
McHenry County: $945 a month
Owners with a mortgage
68%
McHenry County: 68%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Crystal Lake is $2,239 a month, near the figure in McHenry County ($2,137).
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Crystal Lake+41%
McHenry County+37%
Illinois+35%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Crystal Lake+15%
McHenry County+17%
Illinois+26%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Crystal Lake+24%
McHenry County+21%
Illinois+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Crystal Lake and its comparisons
Measure
Crystal Lake
McHenry County
Illinois
United States
Typical home value
+41%
+37%
+35%
+53%
Typical rent
+15%
+17%
+26%
+33%
Typical household income
+24%
+21%
+27%
+29%
The typical home value in Crystal Lake rose 41% since 2015–2019, more than in McHenry County (37%).
Much as in McHenry County, the typical rent in Crystal Lake rose 15% since 2015–2019.
While home values in Crystal Lake changed +41% and rent +15%, the typical household income rose 24%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Crystal Lake and its comparisons
Measure
Crystal Lake
McHenry County
Illinois
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
2.9%
5.0%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.5%
1.0%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
1.5%
2.5%
3.4%
People per household
2.72
2.64
2.46
2.53
Drive alone
72%
73%
66%
69%
Carpool
10%
8%
8%
9%
Public transit
1%
1%
6%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
3%
Work from home
15%
16%
16%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
A household in Crystal Lake has 2.72 people on average, about the same as in McHenry County (2.64).
The car rules in Crystal Lake: 72% of workers drive to work alone, and the typical trip takes 20 to 29 minutes.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Crystal Lake?
A typical home is tight for the typical income
We start with a typical home in Crystal Lake, worth $311,400, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 33% of the typical household income in Crystal Lake, which is $108,418 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $127,816 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of McHenry County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Crystal Lake. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $10,899 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$2,982
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$305,760
Total interest
$439,917
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $5,259 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,530 a month
Tight
$2,530 to $3,253 a month
Your payment · 33%
Hard
more than $3,253 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Crystal Lake ($108,418 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$2,071
Property tax
$644
Home insurance
$130
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$138
You need at least $10,899 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $2,982; principal and interest $2,071.
The city and its county
Crystal Lake and McHenry County
Crystal Lake is in McHenry County, Illinois. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Crystal Lake
Map of McHenry County, Illinois, with Crystal Lake marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Crystal Lake
McHenry County
Other cities with a page
Crystal Lake's own numbers
Typical home value
$311,400
Typical monthly rent
$1,468
Typical yearly household income
$108,418
Households that own their home
78%
Effective property tax rate
2.48%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of McHenry County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$2,011
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+57%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
2.9%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of McHenry County.
A typical home in Crystal Lake is worth $311,400: about the same as the county and 18% above Illinois. With the typical household income in Crystal Lake ($108,418 a year), a typical home costs 2.9 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Crystal Lake2.9 years
McHenry2.9 years
Illinois3.2 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in McHenry County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in McHenry County rose 86% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of McHenry County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in McHenry County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +3.0% +3.0% 2016
2017: +5.0% +5.0% 2017
2018: +4.5% +4.5% 2018
2019: +2.8% +2.8% 2019
2020: +2.0% +2.0% 2020
2021: +10.3% +10.3% 2021
2022: +14.6% +14.6% 2022
2023: +9.4% +9.4% 2023
2024: +7.4% +7.4% 2024
2025: +5.8% +5.8% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in McHenry County, Illinois and the United States
Period
County
Illinois
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+5.8%
+5.7%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+57%
+47%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+86%
+65%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Crystal Lake next to McHenry County, Illinois and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Crystal Lake$311,400
McHenry$308,100
Illinois$263,300
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Crystal Lake$1,468
McHenry$1,401
Illinois$1,274
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Crystal Lake$108,418
McHenry$104,802
Illinois$83,390
United States$80,734
See the full table
Crystal Lake next to McHenry County and Illinois
Measure
Crystal Lake
McHenry County
Illinois
U.S.
Typical home value
$311,400
$308,100
$263,300
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,468 ▲5% above the county
$1,401
$1,274
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$108,418 ▲3% above the county
$104,802
$83,390
$80,734
Households that own their home
78% ▼5 points below the county
83%
67%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$7,720 ▲6% above the county
$7,274
$5,298
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
2.48% ▲0.12 points above the county
2.36%
2.01%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
52% ▲1 points above the county
51%
48%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below McHenry County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Crystal Lake
For a typical $311,400 home in Crystal Lake, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Crystal Lake's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,982a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$10,899
Cash to close
$20,241
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $138
Conventional, 5% down$2,925a month
Down payment
$15,570
Cash to close
$24,912
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $148
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$2,461a month
Down payment
$62,280
Cash to close
$71,622
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$2,749a month
Down payment
$46,710
Cash to close
$56,052
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Crystal Lake
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$2,982
$10,899
$305,760
7.18%
FHA MIP · $138
$20,241
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,925
$15,570
$295,830
7.18%
PMI · $148
$24,912
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$2,461
$62,280
$249,120
7.18%
None
$71,622
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$2,749
$46,710
$264,690
8.18%
None
$56,052
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Crystal Lake is $1,468 a month: 5% above the county. In Crystal Lake, 52% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of McHenry County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($2,011 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $38.67 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in McHenry County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,678
$32.27
$67,120
1 bedroom
$1,780
$34.23
$71,200
2 bedrooms
$2,011
$38.67
$80,440
3 bedrooms
$2,586
$49.73
$103,440
4 bedrooms
$2,954
$56.81
$118,160
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Crystal Lake
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Crystal Lake has 2 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,990 in 60014 to $2,190 in 60012.
1 of the 2 is above the fair market rent for McHenry County ($2,011).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Crystal Lake, fiscal year 2027.
60012
$1,830
$1,940
$2,190
$2,820
$3,220
60014
$1,660
$1,760
$1,990
$2,560
$2,920
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
60012 $2,190$2,820
60014 $1,990$2,560
2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Crystal Lake when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 4 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Crystal Lake. These are the largest.
The Villager/Briarwood77 S Williams St, Crystal Lake 60014116 low-income homes · For families(815) 459-7788
Crystal Terrace192 Elmhurst Rd, Crystal Lake 6001480 homes, 69 low-income · For families(815) 338-5151
The Residences of Crystal Lake355 Station Dr, Crystal Lake 6001460 low-income homes · 1 bd: 48 · 2 bd: 12 · In service since 2020 · For older adults
Mchenry Scattered Site190 Beardsley St, Crystal Lake 6001422 low-income homes · Run by McHenry County Housing Authority · Average payment: $851 a month · Homes at several sites(815) 338-7752
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There are 2 HUD-approved agencies with an office in McHenry County; 2 say they serve in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Crystal Lake or McHenry County. The ones below are statewide in Illinois: they work in Crystal Lake the same as in the rest of the state.
IHDA second loan with no payments until you sell or refinance, for the down payment in Illinois.Offered by Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA).
The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Crystal Lake, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.
RA
Restoration America, Inc.
101 N Main St Ste 14, Crystal Lake · 1 miles away · Spanish
No legal help resource on our list is for Crystal Lake or McHenry County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Crystal Lake and all of McHenry County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Crystal Lake?
The typical home value in Crystal Lake is $311,400, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in McHenry County it is $308,100.
How much does it cost to rent in Crystal Lake?
Typical rent in Crystal Lake is $1,468 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in McHenry County is $2,011.
What is the FHA loan limit in Crystal Lake?
Crystal Lake uses the FHA limit for all of McHenry County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Crystal Lake?
The typical homeowner in Crystal Lake pays $7,720 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 2.48% of the home’s value; in McHenry County, the rate is 2.36%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Crystal Lake?
There are 2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in McHenry County. 2 say they serve in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
