Español

Este sitio también está en español. Leer en español

City · 28,074 residents · McHenry County, Illinois

McHenry , Illinois

In McHenry, a typical home is worth $266,500 and typical rent is $1,553 a month. Compared with all of McHenry County, typical household income is 18% lower, the typical home value is 14% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 8 points lower.

WhatsApp

  • Typical home value

    $266,500

    14% below the county

    About the same as Illinois

    • McHenry
    • County
    • Illinois

  • Typical rent

    $1,553a month

    11% above the county

    22% above Illinois

    • McHenry
    • County
    • Illinois

  • Typical household income

    $86,315a year

    18% below the county

    4% above Illinois

    • McHenry
    • County
    • Illinois

  • Households that own their home

    74%

    8 points below the county

    7 points above Illinois

    • McHenry
    • County
    • Illinois

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

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$313,349
5.2% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent
$1,901 a month

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

McHenry 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 McHenry apart

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

  1. Nearby, in Johnsburg, the typical rent is $1,128: 27% less than in McHenry ($1,553).

  2. The typical household income in McHenry is $86,315, 18% less than in McHenry County as a whole ($104,802).

  3. 74% of households in McHenry own their home, against 83% in McHenry County.

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

The homes here

Housing in McHenry

What homes there are in McHenry, 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

The detached house is still the most common home in McHenry, but it weighs less than in McHenry County: 68% against 77%.

Year built

The typical year built in McHenry is 1988, about the same as in McHenry County (1989).

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

The FHA limit for McHenry County is high ($541,287): at least 96% of owner-occupied homes in McHenry are worth less than $500,000.

Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,908 a month

McHenry County: $2,137 a month

Without a mortgage

$845 a month

McHenry County: $945 a month

Owners with a mortgage

68%

McHenry County: 68%

In McHenry, 68% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,908 a month, against $2,137 in McHenry County. Without one it drops to $845.

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

Since 2015–2019, homes in McHenry gained value faster than in McHenry County: 47% against 37%.

Rents in McHenry rose faster than in McHenry County: 27% since 2015–2019, against 17%.

Here income did not keep up with housing: it rose 14%, while home values changed +47% and rent +27%.

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

MeasureMcHenryMcHenry 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 Unreliable estimate1.5%2.5%3.4%
People per household 2.332.642.462.53
Drive alone 75%73%66%69%
Carpool 8%8%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate1%6%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate1%3%3%
Work from home 14%16%16%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%1%2%
Typical commute 20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Fewer people live in each home here: 2.33 on average, against 2.64 in McHenry County.

To get to work, 75% of workers in McHenry drive alone; in McHenry County, 73%.

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 McHenry?

A typical home is tight for the typical income

We start with a typical home in McHenry, worth $266,500, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 35% of the typical household income in McHenry, which is $86,315 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $108,815 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 McHenry. 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 $9,328 (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

$2,539

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$261,673
Total interest
$376,485
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $4,501 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $2,014 a month

  • Tight

    $2,014 to $2,589 a month

    Your payment · 35%

  • Hard

    more than $2,589 a month

Compared with the typical household income in McHenry ($86,315 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$2,539
Principal & interest$1,773
Property tax$537
Home insurance$111
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$118

You need at least $9,328 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

McHenry and McHenry County

McHenry 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).

McHenry's own numbers

Typical home value
$266,500
Typical monthly rent
$1,553
Typical yearly household income
$86,315
Households that own their home
74%
Effective property tax rate
2.42%

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 McHenry

A typical home in McHenry is worth $266,500: 14% below the county and about the same as Illinois. With the typical household income in McHenry ($86,315 a year), a typical home costs 3.1 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.

  • McHenry 3.1 years
  • County 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

McHenry 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
  • McHenry $266,500
  • County $308,100
  • Illinois $263,300
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • McHenry $1,553
  • County $1,401
  • Illinois $1,274
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • McHenry $86,315
  • County $104,802
  • Illinois $83,390
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
McHenry next to McHenry County and Illinois
Measure McHenry McHenry County Illinois U.S.
Typical home value $266,500 $308,100 $263,300 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,553 $1,401 $1,274 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $86,315 $104,802 $83,390 $80,734
Households that own their home 74% 83% 67% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $6,456 $7,274 $5,298 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 2.42% 2.36% 2.01% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 51% 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 McHenry

For a typical $266,500 home in McHenry, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, McHenry's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $2,539a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $9,328
    Cash to close
    $17,323
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $118

  • Conventional, 5% down $2,490a month

    Down payment
    $13,325
    Cash to close
    $21,320
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $127

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $2,093a month

    Down payment
    $53,300
    Cash to close
    $61,295
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $2,339a month

    Down payment
    $39,975
    Cash to close
    $47,970
    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 McHenry and for McHenry County.

Property tax

Effective rate in McHenry

2.42%of the home’s value each year

$6,456 a year for the typical owner in McHenry.

  • McHenry 2.42%
  • County 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 McHenry

Typical rent in McHenry is $1,553 a month: 11% above the county. In McHenry, 51% 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 McHenry

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). McHenry is in ZIP code 60050.

For 2 bedrooms it is $2,100: $89 more than the fair market rent for McHenry County ($2,011).

  • 60050 $2,100$2,700

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for McHenry 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?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in McHenry

HUD lists 5 buildings with rents for lower incomes in McHenry. These are the largest.

  • Hillcrest Apartments 1916 N Orleans St, McHenry 60050 88 low-income homes · For families (815) 363-5919
  • Living Springs of Mchenry SLF 4609 W Crystal Lake Rd, McHenry 60050 99 homes, 79 low-income · Studio: 46 · 1 bd: 53 · In service since 2008
  • Fox Hill Senior Housing, Inc. 302 Front St, McHenry 60050 61 homes, 60 low-income · For older adults
  • Taylor Place Apartments 4107 W Crystal Lake Rd, McHenry 60050 8 low-income homes (847) 564-2900
  • Pearl Street Commons, LLC 3512 Pearl St, McHenry 60050 25 homes, 6 low-income (847) 849-5313

See all 15 buildings in McHenry County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in McHenry

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 grandmother smiles, seated at home.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in McHenry

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for McHenry or McHenry County. The ones below are statewide in Illinois: they work in McHenry 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 McHenry

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of McHenry, 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 · 7 miles away · Spanish

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

  • Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Northern Illinois

    13707 W Jackson St, Woodstock · 9 miles away · Spanish

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

  • Lake County Housing Authority

    22843 N Lakewood Ln, Lake Zurich · 14 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 10 more
    (847) 223-1170

Every agency in McHenry County All counseling agencies in Illinois

Help in Spanish near McHenry

2 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 McHenry

HUD’s record names them for McHenry 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 McHenry, 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 McHenry.

All guides
Two girls write and draw together at the living-room table.

Questions

Housing questions about McHenry

Short answers with the numbers for McHenry 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 McHenry?

The typical home value in McHenry is $266,500, 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 McHenry?

Typical rent in McHenry is $1,553 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 McHenry?

McHenry 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 McHenry?

The typical homeowner in McHenry pays $6,456 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 2.42% of the home’s value; in McHenry County, the rate is 2.36%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in McHenry?

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).