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City · 28,800 residents · McHenry County, Illinois

Lake in the Hills , Illinois

In Lake in the Hills, a typical home is worth $321,900 and typical rent is $1,689 a month. Compared with all of McHenry County, typical rent is 21% higher and typical household income is 12% higher.

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  • Typical home value

    $321,900

    4% above the county

    22% above Illinois

    • Lake in the Hills
    • McHenry
    • Illinois

  • Typical rent

    $1,689a month

    21% above the county

    33% above Illinois

    • Lake in the Hills
    • McHenry
    • Illinois

  • Typical household income

    $117,151a year

    12% above the county

    40% above Illinois

    • Lake in the Hills
    • McHenry
    • Illinois

  • Households that own their home

    84%

    2 points above the county

    17 points above Illinois

    • Lake in the Hills
    • McHenry
    • Illinois

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$378,232
4.2% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$2,188 a month
3.5% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Lake in the Hills 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

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Lake in the Hills apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Nearby, in Carpentersville, the typical home value is $234,100: 27% less than in Lake in the Hills ($321,900).

  2. Nearby, in Carpentersville, the typical rent is $1,414: 16% less than in Lake in the Hills ($1,689).

  3. The typical rent in Lake in the Hills is $1,689 a month, 21% more than in McHenry County as a whole ($1,401).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Lake in the Hills

What homes there are in Lake in the Hills, 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 houses are the majority in Lake in the Hills (72%), but less so than in McHenry County (77%).

Year built

The typical home in Lake in the Hills was built in 1995, 6 years after the typical one in McHenry County.

There is more room for a big family here: 77% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, against 73% in McHenry County.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$2,097 a month

McHenry County: $2,137 a month

Without a mortgage

$1,011 a month

McHenry County: $945 a month

Owners with a mortgage

75%

McHenry County: 68%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Lake in the Hills is $2,097 a month, near the figure in McHenry County ($2,137).

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Lake in the Hills rose 42%; in McHenry County, it rose 37%.

Much as in McHenry County, the typical rent in Lake in the Hills rose 20% since 2015–2019.

The typical household income in Lake in the Hills rose 26% over that time; home values changed +42% and rent +20%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureLake in the HillsMcHenry CountyIllinoisUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate2.9%5.0%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.5%1.0%0.9%
More than one person per room 3.6%1.5%2.5%3.4%
People per household 2.972.642.462.53
Drive alone 71%73%66%69%
Carpool 11%8%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate1%6%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate1%3%3%
Work from home 17%16%16%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

More than one person per room: that is how 3.6% of households in Lake in the Hills live, more than in McHenry County (1.5%).

Households in Lake in the Hills are bigger: 2.97 people on average; in McHenry County, 2.64.

Carpooling is common in Lake in the Hills: 11% of workers get to work that way, against 8% in McHenry County.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Lake in the Hills?

A typical home is tight for the typical income

We start with a typical home in Lake in the Hills, worth $321,900, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 31% of the typical household income in Lake in the Hills, which is $117,151 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $130,171 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of McHenry County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Lake in the Hills. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $11,267 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$3,037

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$316,069
Total interest
$454,749
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $5,436 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $2,734 a month

  • Tight

    $2,734 to $3,515 a month

    Your payment · 31%

  • Hard

    more than $3,515 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Lake in the Hills ($117,151 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$3,037
Principal & interest$2,141
Property tax$620
Home insurance$134
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$142

You need at least $11,267 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

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.

The city and its county

Lake in the Hills and McHenry County

Lake in the Hills 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).

Lake in the Hills's own numbers

Typical home value
$321,900
Typical monthly rent
$1,689
Typical yearly household income
$117,151
Households that own their home
84%
Effective property tax rate
2.31%

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.

Everything about McHenry County

Buying

Buying a home in Lake in the Hills

A typical home in Lake in the Hills is worth $321,900: 4% above the county and 22% above Illinois. With the typical household income in Lake in the Hills ($117,151 a year), a typical home costs 2.7 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.

  • Lake in the Hills 2.7 years
  • McHenry 2.9 years
  • Illinois 3.2 years
  • United States 4.1 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.

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

Lake in the Hills 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
  • Lake in the Hills $321,900
  • McHenry $308,100
  • Illinois $263,300
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Lake in the Hills $1,689
  • McHenry $1,401
  • Illinois $1,274
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Lake in the Hills $117,151
  • McHenry $104,802
  • Illinois $83,390
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Lake in the Hills next to McHenry County and Illinois
Measure Lake in the Hills McHenry County Illinois U.S.
Typical home value $321,900 $308,100 $263,300 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,689 $1,401 $1,274 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $117,151 $104,802 $83,390 $80,734
Households that own their home 84% 83% 67% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $7,430 $7,274 $5,298 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 2.31% 2.36% 2.01% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 50% 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 Lake in the Hills

For a typical $321,900 home in Lake in the Hills, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Lake in the Hills's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $3,037a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $11,267
    Cash to close
    $20,924
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $142

  • Conventional, 5% down $2,978a month

    Down payment
    $16,095
    Cash to close
    $25,752
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $153

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $2,498a month

    Down payment
    $64,380
    Cash to close
    $74,037
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $2,796a month

    Down payment
    $48,285
    Cash to close
    $57,942
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

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.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Lake in the Hills and for McHenry County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Lake in the Hills

2.31%of the home’s value each year

$7,430 a year for the typical owner in Lake in the Hills.

  • Lake in the Hills 2.31%
  • McHenry 2.36%
  • Illinois 2.01%

What Illinois publishes General Homestead Exemption (Illinois Department of Revenue)

Exemptions and deadlines in Illinois

Flood risk in McHenry County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of McHenry County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
2.9%
3,218
Of those, with NFIP insurance
19%
County Illinois U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 2.9% 1.5% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 19% 25% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Lake in the Hills

Typical rent in Lake in the Hills is $1,689 a month: 21% above the county. In Lake in the Hills, 50% 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.

HUD fair market rent for all of McHenry County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

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 Lake in the Hills

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Lake in the Hills is in ZIP code 60156.

For 2 bedrooms it is $2,310: $299 more than the fair market rent for McHenry County ($2,011).

  • 60156 $2,310$2,970

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Lake in the Hills 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 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Lake in the Hills

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.

A man shakes hands with the specialist who helped him with his loan, in the kitchen of his new home.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Lake in the Hills

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Lake in the Hills or McHenry County. The ones below are statewide in Illinois: they work in Lake in the Hills the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Illinois

  • IHDAccess Home

    Statewide in Illinois

    Limited funds remain, per the source

    IHDA second loan with deferred payments for first-time buyers in Illinois. Offered by Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA).

    Deferred

    See the program Official page

  • IHDAccess Forgivable

    Statewide in Illinois

    Limited funds remain, per the source

    IHDA second loan forgiven little by little over ten years, for the down payment in Illinois. Offered by Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA).

    Forgivable

    See the program Official page

  • IHDAccess Deferred

    Statewide in Illinois

    Limited funds remain, per the source

    IHDA second loan with no payments until you sell or refinance, for the down payment in Illinois. Offered by Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA).

    Deferred

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Lake in the Hills

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Lake in the Hills, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Restoration America, Inc.

    101 N Main St Ste 14, Crystal Lake · 4 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 8 more
    (847) 783-0232

  • Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Northern Illinois

    620 Wing St, Elgin · 9 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 10 more
    (815) 338-5757

  • Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Northern Illinois

    13707 W Jackson St, Woodstock · 12 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 9 more
    (815) 338-5757

Every agency in McHenry County All counseling agencies in Illinois

Help in Spanish near Lake in the Hills

3 of the 3 agencies on this list say they serve in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Lake in the Hills

HUD’s record names them for Lake in the Hills or McHenry County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • McHenry County Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers (815) 338-7752

All housing agencies in Illinois Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in McHenry County

These cities are also in McHenry County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about McHenry County Housing in Illinois

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Lake in the Hills, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If McHenry County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Lake in the Hills.

All guides
A family walks a boardwalk trail in the forest; one of them uses a wheelchair.

Questions

Housing questions about Lake in the Hills

Short answers with the numbers for Lake in the Hills 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 Lake in the Hills?

The typical home value in Lake in the Hills is $321,900, 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 Lake in the Hills?

Typical rent in Lake in the Hills is $1,689 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 Lake in the Hills?

Lake in the Hills 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 Lake in the Hills?

The typical homeowner in Lake in the Hills pays $7,430 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 2.31% of the home’s value; in McHenry County, the rate is 2.36%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Lake in the Hills?

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.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).