In River Forest, a typical home is worth $687,300 and typical rent is $1,554 a month. Compared with all of Cook County, the typical home value is 112% higher, typical household income is 76% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 30 points higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $535,555 to $722,857.
Typical rent
$2,200a month
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
River Forest 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
River Forest has the largest share of rent-burdened renters of the 291 cities in Illinois with more than 5,000 people: 89%.
2
88% of households in River Forest own their home, against 58% in Cook County.
3
The typical household income in River Forest is $146,786,76% more than in Cook County as a whole ($83,498).
4
The typical home in River Forest is worth $687,300,112% more than in Cook County as a whole ($324,500).
5
Nearby, in Maywood, the typical home value is $229,800: 67% less than in River Forest ($687,300).
6
According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in River Forest rose 10.7%; in Illinois, it rose 5.3%.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data
The homes here
Housing in River Forest
What homes there are in River Forest, 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
River Forest
Cook County
Illinois
United States
Kind of home: River Forest and its comparisons
Measure
River Forest
Cook County
Illinois
United States
Detached house
59%
40%
58%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
6%
6%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
6%
19%
12%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
31%
35%
22%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
1%
2%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
0%
In River Forest, 6 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Cook County, 4.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
River Forest
Cook County
Illinois
United States
Year built: River Forest and its comparisons
Measure
River Forest
Cook County
Illinois
United States
Before 1960
69%
49%
38%
26%
1960–1979
19%
25%
26%
24%
1980–1999
Unreliable estimate
14%
20%
25%
2000–2009
Unreliable estimate
8%
11%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
5%
6%
11%
Homes in River Forest are older: the typical year built is 1946; in Cook County, 1961.
There is more room for a big family here: 63% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, against 49% in Cook County.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200KUnreliable
$200K–$300K15%
$300K–$500K12%
$500K–$750K19%
$750K–$1M22%
$1M or more23%
Value of owner-occupied homes: River Forest and its comparisons
Measure
River Forest
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
Unreliable estimate
$200K–$300K
15%
$300K–$500K
12%
$500K–$750K
19%
$750K–$1M
22%
$1M or more
23%
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,49938%
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: River Forest and its comparisons
Measure
River Forest
Under $500
Unreliable
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
38%
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable estimate
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
Owners with a mortgage
59%
Cook County: 62%
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
River Forest+15%
Cook County+32%
Illinois+35%
United States+53%
Typical rent
River Forest+36%
Cook County+28%
Illinois+26%
United States+33%
Typical household income
River ForestNo clear change
Cook County+29%
Illinois+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: River Forest and its comparisons
Measure
River Forest
Cook County
Illinois
United States
Typical home value
+15%
+32%
+35%
+53%
Typical rent
+36%
+28%
+26%
+33%
Typical household income
No clear change
+29%
+27%
+29%
Homes in River Forest gained value more slowly than in Cook County: 15% since 2015–2019, against 32%.
The typical rent in River Forest rose 36% over the same time; in Cook County, it rose 28%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: River Forest and its comparisons
Measure
River Forest
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
Unreliable estimate
3.3%
2.5%
3.4%
People per household
2.47
2.43
2.46
2.53
Drive alone
42%
55%
66%
69%
Carpool
Unreliable estimate
8%
8%
9%
Public transit
20%
12%
6%
3%
Walk or bike
7%
5%
3%
3%
Work from home
27%
19%
16%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
2%
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
30 to 39 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Much as in Cook County, a household in River Forest has 2.47 people on average.
In River Forest, 20% of workers get to work by public transit; in Cook County, 12%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in River Forest?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in River Forest, worth $687,300, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 49% of the typical household income in River Forest, which is $146,786 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $257,068 a year. Note: at that price the loan is above the FHA limit for Cook County ($541,287), so FHA would not insure it; the payment is only a reference.
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 River Forest. 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 $24,056 (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
$5,998
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$674,851
Total interest
$970,952
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $11,607 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $3,425 a month
Tight
$3,425 to $4,404 a month
Hard
more than $4,404 a month
Your payment · 49%
Compared with the typical household income in River Forest ($146,786 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$4,572
Property tax
$836
Home insurance
$286
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$304
This loan is over the FHA limit
You'd borrow $663,244, but the FHA limit for a one-unit home in River Forest is $541,287. You'd need a bigger down payment or a different loan.
You need at least $24,056 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 $5,998; principal and interest $4,572.
The city and its county
River Forest and Cook County
River Forest 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).
River Forest
Map of Cook County, Illinois, with River Forest marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
River Forest
Cook County
Other cities with a page
River Forest's own numbers
Typical home value
$687,300
Typical monthly rent
$1,554
Typical yearly household income
$146,786
Households that own their home
88%
Effective property tax rate
1.46%
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 River Forest is worth $687,300: 112% above the county and 161% above Illinois. With the typical household income in River Forest ($146,786 a year), a typical home costs 4.7 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.
River Forest4.7 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
River Forest 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
River Forest$687,300
Cook$324,500
Illinois$263,300
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
River Forest$1,554
Cook$1,435
Illinois$1,274
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
River Forest$146,786
Cook$83,498
Illinois$83,390
United States$80,734
See the full table
River Forest next to Cook County and Illinois
Measure
River Forest
Cook County
Illinois
U.S.
Typical home value
$687,300 ▲112% above the county
$324,500
$263,300
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,554 ▲8% above the county
$1,435
$1,274
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$146,786 ▲76% above the county
$83,498
$83,390
$80,734
Households that own their home
88% ▲30 points above the county
58%
67%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$10,001 ▲62% above the county
$6,191
$5,298
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.46% ▼0.45 points below the county
1.91%
2.01%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
89% ▲40 points above 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 River Forest
For a typical $687,300 home in River Forest, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, River Forest's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$5,998a month
Above the FHA limit for Cook County ($541,287)
Down payment
$24,056
Cash to close
$44,675
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $304
Conventional, 5% down$5,872a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$34,365
Cash to close
$54,984
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $326
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$4,847a month
Down payment
$137,460
Cash to close
$158,079
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$5,483a month
Down payment
$103,095
Cash to close
$123,714
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in River Forest
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Above the FHA limit for Cook County ($541,287)
$5,998
$24,056
$674,851
7.18%
FHA MIP · $304
$44,675
580
Conventional, 5% down Least cash to close
$5,872
$34,365
$652,935
7.18%
PMI · $326
$54,984
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$4,847
$137,460
$549,840
7.18%
None
$158,079
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$5,483
$103,095
$584,205
8.18%
None
$123,714
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is Conventional, 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 River Forest is $1,554 a month: 8% above the county. In River Forest, 89% 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.
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 River Forest or Cook County. The ones below are statewide in Illinois: they work in River Forest 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 River Forest, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.
OP
Oak Park Regional Housing Center Aka West Cook Homeownership Center
No legal help resource on our list is for River Forest 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 River Forest 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 River Forest?
The typical home value in River Forest is $687,300, 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 River Forest?
Typical rent in River Forest is $1,554 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 River Forest?
River Forest 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 River Forest?
The typical homeowner in River Forest pays $10,001 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.46% of the home’s value; in Cook County, the rate is 1.91%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in River Forest?
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.
