In Sycamore, a typical home is worth $265,700 and typical rent is $1,140 a month. Compared with all of DeKalb County, typical household income is 19% higher, the typical home value is 9% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 10 points higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $237,609 to $317,584.
Typical rent
$1,811a month
Typical rent from Zillow, March 2026 to September 2026: from $1,696 to $1,811.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Sycamore is in DeKalb 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 DeKalb County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Sycamore has the 10th smallest share of rent-burdened renters of the 291 cities in Illinois with more than 5,000 people (33%).
2
Nearby, in DeKalb, the typical home value is $204,700: 23% less than in Sycamore ($265,700).
3
Nearby, in Genoa, the typical rent is $940: 18% less than in Sycamore ($1,140).
4
The typical household income in Sycamore is $84,120,19% more than in DeKalb County as a whole ($70,724).
5
72% of households in Sycamore own their home, against 61% in DeKalb County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Sycamore
What homes there are in Sycamore, 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
Sycamore
DeKalb County
Illinois
United States
Kind of home: Sycamore and its comparisons
Measure
Sycamore
DeKalb County
Illinois
United States
Detached house
56%
58%
58%
61%
Attached house
20%
9%
6%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
13%
10%
12%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
21%
22%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
2%
2%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
In Sycamore, 6 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses, about the same as in DeKalb County.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Sycamore
DeKalb County
Illinois
United States
Year built: Sycamore and its comparisons
Measure
Sycamore
DeKalb County
Illinois
United States
Before 1960
21%
25%
38%
26%
1960–1979
18%
27%
26%
24%
1980–1999
20%
22%
20%
25%
2000–2009
32%
21%
11%
14%
2010 or later
8%
4%
6%
11%
Here half of the homes date from 1993 or later; in DeKalb County, from 1978 or later.
In Sycamore, 59% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, about the same as in DeKalb County.
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–$200K22%
$200K–$300K33%
$300K–$500K34%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Sycamore and its comparisons
Measure
Sycamore
Under $100K
5%
$100K–$200K
22%
$200K–$300K
33%
$300K–$500K
34%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
The FHA limit for DeKalb County is high ($541,287): at least 94% of owner-occupied homes in Sycamore are worth less than $500,000.
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$99935%
$1,000–$1,49941%
$1,500–$1,99914%
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Sycamore and its comparisons
Measure
Sycamore
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
35%
$1,000–$1,499
41%
$1,500–$1,999
14%
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
With a mortgage
$2,026 a month
DeKalb County: $1,866 a month
Without a mortgage
$902 a month
DeKalb County: $869 a month
Owners with a mortgage
76%
DeKalb County: 67%
The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Sycamore is $2,026 a month, more than in DeKalb County ($1,866); without one, $902.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Sycamore+40%
DeKalb County+41%
Illinois+35%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Sycamore+18%
DeKalb County+13%
Illinois+26%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Sycamore+17%
DeKalb County+12%
Illinois+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Sycamore and its comparisons
Measure
Sycamore
DeKalb County
Illinois
United States
Typical home value
+40%
+41%
+35%
+53%
Typical rent
+18%
+13%
+26%
+33%
Typical household income
+17%
+12%
+27%
+29%
Much as in DeKalb County, the typical home value in Sycamore rose 40% since 2015–2019.
Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Sycamore rose 18%, more than in DeKalb County (13%).
To compare: typical income in Sycamore rose 17%; the home, +40%; the rent, +18%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Sycamore and its comparisons
Measure
Sycamore
DeKalb County
Illinois
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
2.6%
5.0%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1.0%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
2.0%
2.5%
3.4%
People per household
2.49
2.42
2.46
2.53
Drive alone
77%
75%
66%
69%
Carpool
5%
10%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
6%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
5%
3%
3%
Work from home
13%
9%
16%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Much as in DeKalb County, a household in Sycamore has 2.49 people on average.
In Sycamore, 13% of workers work from home, more than in DeKalb County (9%).
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Sycamore?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Sycamore, worth $265,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 36% of the typical household income in Sycamore, which is $84,120 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $108,963 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of DeKalb 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 Sycamore. 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 $9,300 (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
$2,543
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$260,887
Total interest
$375,355
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $4,487 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,963 a month
Tight
$1,963 to $2,524 a month
Hard
more than $2,524 a month
Your payment · 36%
Compared with the typical household income in Sycamore ($84,120 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,767
Property tax
$547
Home insurance
$111
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$118
You need at least $9,300 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 $2,543; principal and interest $1,767.
The city and its county
Sycamore and DeKalb County
Sycamore is in DeKalb 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).
Sycamore
Map of DeKalb County, Illinois, with Sycamore marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Sycamore
DeKalb County
Other cities with a page
Sycamore's own numbers
Typical home value
$265,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,140
Typical yearly household income
$84,120
Households that own their home
72%
Effective property tax rate
2.47%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of DeKalb County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,481
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+55%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.7%
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 DeKalb County.
A typical home in Sycamore is worth $265,700: 9% above the county and about the same as Illinois. With the typical household income in Sycamore ($84,120 a year), a typical home costs 3.2 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.
Sycamore3.2 years
DeKalb3.4 years
Illinois3.2 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in DeKalb County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in DeKalb County rose 85% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of DeKalb County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in DeKalb County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +4.0% +4.0% 2016
2017: +4.8% +4.8% 2017
2018: +3.4% +3.4% 2018
2019: +3.9% +3.9% 2019
2020: +1.6% +1.6% 2020
2021: +10.6% +10.6% 2021
2022: +11.5% +11.5% 2022
2023: +11.2% +11.2% 2023
2024: +6.4% +6.4% 2024
2025: +6.4% +6.4% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in DeKalb County, Illinois and the United States
Period
County
Illinois
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+6.4%
+5.7%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+55%
+47%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+85%
+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
Sycamore next to DeKalb 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
Sycamore$265,700
DeKalb$243,600
Illinois$263,300
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Sycamore$1,140
DeKalb$1,049
Illinois$1,274
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Sycamore$84,120
DeKalb$70,724
Illinois$83,390
United States$80,734
See the full table
Sycamore next to DeKalb County and Illinois
Measure
Sycamore
DeKalb County
Illinois
U.S.
Typical home value
$265,700 ▲9% above the county
$243,600
$263,300
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,140 ▲9% above the county
$1,049
$1,274
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$84,120 ▲19% above the county
$70,724
$83,390
$80,734
Households that own their home
72% ▲10 points above the county
61%
67%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$6,567 ▲10% above the county
$5,974
$5,298
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
2.47% ▲0.02 points above the county
2.45%
2.01%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
33% ▼25 points below the county
57%
48%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below DeKalb 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 Sycamore
For a typical $265,700 home in Sycamore, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Sycamore's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,542a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$9,300
Cash to close
$17,271
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $118
Conventional, 5% down$2,494a month
Down payment
$13,285
Cash to close
$21,256
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $126
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$2,098a month
Down payment
$53,140
Cash to close
$61,111
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$2,343a month
Down payment
$39,855
Cash to close
$47,826
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Sycamore
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$2,542
$9,300
$260,888
7.18%
FHA MIP · $118
$17,271
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,494
$13,285
$252,415
7.18%
PMI · $126
$21,256
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$2,098
$53,140
$212,560
7.18%
None
$61,111
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$2,343
$39,855
$225,845
8.18%
None
$47,826
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 Sycamore is $1,140 a month: 9% above the county. In Sycamore, 33% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of DeKalb County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,481 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $28.48 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 DeKalb County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,052
$20.23
$42,080
1 bedroom
$1,155
$22.21
$46,200
2 bedrooms
$1,481
$28.48
$59,240
3 bedrooms
$2,006
$38.58
$80,240
4 bedrooms
$2,301
$44.25
$92,040
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 Sycamore
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Sycamore is in ZIP code 60178.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,570: $89 more than the fair market rent for DeKalb County ($1,481).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Sycamore, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
60178
$1,120
$1,230
$1,570
$2,130
$2,440
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
60178 $1,570$2,130
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Sycamore 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 2 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Sycamore. These are the largest.
Civic Apartments350 Grant St, Sycamore 60178100 homes, 99 low-income · Run by Housing Authority Of The County Of DeKalb · Average payment: $469 a month · Average wait: 19 months(815) 758-2692
Opportunity House Residences350 N Maple St, Sycamore 6017816 homes, 15 low-income · For people with disabilities(815) 895-5380
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.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in DeKalb County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Sycamore or DeKalb County. The ones below are statewide in Illinois: they work in Sycamore 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 Sycamore or DeKalb 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 Sycamore and all of DeKalb 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 Sycamore?
The typical home value in Sycamore is $265,700, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in DeKalb County it is $243,600.
How much does it cost to rent in Sycamore?
Typical rent in Sycamore is $1,140 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in DeKalb County is $1,481.
What is the FHA loan limit in Sycamore?
Sycamore uses the FHA limit for all of DeKalb 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 Sycamore?
The typical homeowner in Sycamore pays $6,567 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 2.47% of the home’s value; in DeKalb County, the rate is 2.45%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Sycamore?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in DeKalb County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
