In Des Plaines, a typical home is worth $335,600 and typical rent is $1,606 a month. Compared with all of Cook County, typical household income is 17% higher, typical rent is 12% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 21 points higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $265,709 to $356,247.
Typical rent
$2,079a month
▲ 5.8% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $1,572 to $2,079.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Des Plaines is in Cook 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 Cook County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
78% of households in Des Plaines own their home, against 58% in Cook County.
2
Nearby, in Niles, the typical rent is $1,336: 17% less than in Des Plaines ($1,606).
3
The typical household income in Des Plaines is $97,875,17% more than in Cook County as a whole ($83,498).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Des Plaines
What homes there are in Des Plaines, 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
Des Plaines
Cook County
Illinois
United States
Kind of home: Des Plaines and its comparisons
Measure
Des Plaines
Cook County
Illinois
United States
Detached house
59%
40%
58%
61%
Attached house
8%
6%
6%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
3%
19%
12%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
28%
35%
22%
19%
Mobile home
3%
1%
2%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
0%
The detached house rules in Des Plaines: 59% of homes, more than in Cook County (40%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Des Plaines
Cook County
Illinois
United States
Year built: Des Plaines and its comparisons
Measure
Des Plaines
Cook County
Illinois
United States
Before 1960
36%
49%
38%
26%
1960–1979
35%
25%
26%
24%
1980–1999
15%
14%
20%
25%
2000–2009
7%
8%
11%
14%
2010 or later
7%
5%
6%
11%
Homes in Des Plaines are newer: the typical year built is 1966; in Cook County, 1961.
Homes in Des Plaines are bigger: 59% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Cook County, 49%.
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–$200K7%
$200K–$300K25%
$300K–$500K55%
$500K–$750K7%
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1M2%
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Des Plaines and its comparisons
Measure
Des Plaines
Under $100K
5%
$100K–$200K
7%
$200K–$300K
25%
$300K–$500K
55%
$500K–$750K
7%
$750K–$1M
2%
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
By price, most homes in Des Plaines sit under the FHA limit for Cook County ($541,287): about 93%.
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$9997%
$1,000–$1,49931%
$1,500–$1,99933%
$2,000–$2,49913%
$2,500–$2,9998%
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Des Plaines and its comparisons
Measure
Des Plaines
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
7%
$1,000–$1,499
31%
$1,500–$1,999
33%
$2,000–$2,499
13%
$2,500–$2,999
8%
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$2,137 a month
Cook County: $2,270 a month
Without a mortgage
$880 a month
Cook County: $910 a month
Owners with a mortgage
60%
Cook County: 62%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Des Plaines is $2,137 a month, less than in Cook County ($2,270); without one, $880.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Des Plaines+31%
Cook County+32%
Illinois+35%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Des Plaines+40%
Cook County+28%
Illinois+26%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Des Plaines+40%
Cook County+29%
Illinois+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Des Plaines and its comparisons
Measure
Des Plaines
Cook County
Illinois
United States
Typical home value
+31%
+32%
+35%
+53%
Typical rent
+40%
+28%
+26%
+33%
Typical household income
+40%
+29%
+27%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, home values in Des Plaines rose at about the same pace as in Cook County: 31% against 32%.
The typical rent in Des Plaines rose 40% over the same time; in Cook County, it rose 28%.
To compare: typical income in Des Plaines rose 40%; the home, +31%; the rent, +40%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Des Plaines and its comparisons
Measure
Des Plaines
Cook County
Illinois
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
4.5%
5.0%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
1.1%
1.0%
0.9%
More than one person per room
3.9%
3.3%
2.5%
3.4%
People per household
2.58
2.43
2.46
2.53
Drive alone
67%
55%
66%
69%
Carpool
11%
8%
8%
9%
Public transit
4%
12%
6%
3%
Walk or bike
2%
5%
3%
3%
Work from home
14%
19%
16%
15%
Other means
2%
2%
1%
2%
Typical commute
20 to 29 minutes
30 to 39 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
More than one person per room: that is how 3.9% of households in Des Plaines live, near the figure in Cook County (3.3%).
Households in Des Plaines are bigger: 2.58 people on average; in Cook County, 2.43.
More people carpool to work in Des Plaines than in Cook County: 11% against 8%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Des Plaines?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Des Plaines, worth $335,600, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 37% of the typical household income in Des Plaines, which is $97,875 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $130,677 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Cook 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 Des Plaines. 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 $11,746 (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
$3,049
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$329,521
Total interest
$474,104
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $5,667 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,284 a month
Tight
$2,284 to $2,936 a month
Hard
more than $2,936 a month
Your payment · 37%
Compared with the typical household income in Des Plaines ($97,875 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$2,232
Property tax
$529
Home insurance
$140
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$148
You need at least $11,746 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 $3,049; principal and interest $2,232.
The city and its county
Des Plaines and Cook County
Des Plaines is in Cook 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).
Des Plaines
Map of Cook County, Illinois, with Des Plaines marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Des Plaines
Cook County
Other cities with a page
Des Plaines's own numbers
Typical home value
$335,600
Typical monthly rent
$1,606
Typical yearly household income
$97,875
Households that own their home
78%
Effective property tax rate
1.89%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Cook 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)
+42%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1%
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 Cook County.
A typical home in Des Plaines is worth $335,600: 3% above the county and 27% above Illinois. With the typical household income in Des Plaines ($97,875 a year), a typical home costs 3.4 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.
Des Plaines3.4 years
Cook3.9 years
Illinois3.2 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Cook County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Cook County rose 61% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Cook County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Cook County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +3.9% +3.9% 2016
2017: +3.2% +3.2% 2017
2018: +2.5% +2.5% 2018
2019: +2.7% +2.7% 2019
2020: +0.9% +0.9% 2020
2021: +7.2% +7.2% 2021
2022: +11.3% +11.3% 2022
2023: +5.7% +5.7% 2023
2024: +6.4% +6.4% 2024
2025: +5.5% +5.5% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Cook County, Illinois and the United States
Period
County
Illinois
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+5.5%
+5.7%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+42%
+47%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+61%
+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
Des Plaines next to Cook 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
Des Plaines$335,600
Cook$324,500
Illinois$263,300
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Des Plaines$1,606
Cook$1,435
Illinois$1,274
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Des Plaines$97,875
Cook$83,498
Illinois$83,390
United States$80,734
See the full table
Des Plaines next to Cook County and Illinois
Measure
Des Plaines
Cook County
Illinois
U.S.
Typical home value
$335,600 ▲3% above the county
$324,500
$263,300
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,606 ▲12% above the county
$1,435
$1,274
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$97,875 ▲17% above the county
$83,498
$83,390
$80,734
Households that own their home
78% ▲21 points above the county
58%
67%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$6,344 ▲2% above the county
$6,191
$5,298
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.89% ▼0.02 points below the county
1.91%
2.01%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
39% ▼10 points below the county
49%
48%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Cook 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 Des Plaines
For a typical $335,600 home in Des Plaines, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Des Plaines's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$3,049a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$11,746
Cash to close
$21,814
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $148
Conventional, 5% down$2,988a month
Down payment
$16,780
Cash to close
$26,848
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $159
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$2,487a month
Down payment
$67,120
Cash to close
$77,188
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$2,797a month
Down payment
$50,340
Cash to close
$60,408
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Des Plaines
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$3,049
$11,746
$329,521
7.18%
FHA MIP · $148
$21,814
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,988
$16,780
$318,820
7.18%
PMI · $159
$26,848
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$2,487
$67,120
$268,480
7.18%
None
$77,188
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$2,797
$50,340
$285,260
8.18%
None
$60,408
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 Des Plaines is $1,606 a month: 12% above the county. In Des Plaines, 39% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Cook 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 Cook 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 Des Plaines
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Des Plaines has 2 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,670 in 60018 to $2,230 in 60016.
1 of the 2 is above the fair market rent for Cook County ($2,011).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Des Plaines, fiscal year 2027.
60016
$1,860
$1,970
$2,230
$2,870
$3,280
60018
$1,390
$1,480
$1,670
$2,150
$2,450
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
60016 $2,230$2,870
60018 $1,670$2,150
2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Des Plaines 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)
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 42 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Cook County; 19 say they serve in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Des Plaines or Cook County. The ones below are statewide in Illinois: they work in Des Plaines 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).
No legal help resource on our list is for Des Plaines or Cook 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 Des Plaines and all of Cook 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 Des Plaines?
The typical home value in Des Plaines is $335,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Cook County it is $324,500.
How much does it cost to rent in Des Plaines?
Typical rent in Des Plaines is $1,606 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Cook County is $2,011.
What is the FHA loan limit in Des Plaines?
Des Plaines uses the FHA limit for all of Cook 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 Des Plaines?
The typical homeowner in Des Plaines pays $6,344 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.89% of the home’s value; in Cook County, the rate is 1.91%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Des Plaines?
There are 42 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Cook County. 19 say they serve in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
