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City · 25,395 residents · DuPage County, Illinois

West Chicago , Illinois

In West Chicago, a typical home is worth $336,800 and typical rent is $1,469 a month. Compared with all of DuPage County, the typical home value is 14% lower and typical rent is 13% lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $336,800

    14% below the county

    28% above Illinois

    • West Chicago
    • DuPage
    • Illinois

  • Typical rent

    $1,469a month

    13% below the county

    15% above Illinois

    • West Chicago
    • DuPage
    • Illinois

  • Typical household income

    $99,927a year

    11% below the county

    20% above Illinois

    • West Chicago
    • DuPage
    • Illinois

  • Households that own their home

    71%

    2 points below the county

    4 points above Illinois

    • West Chicago
    • DuPage
    • Illinois

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

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$388,869
4.3% more than 12 months ago

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

West Chicago is in DuPage 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 DuPage County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets West Chicago apart

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

  1. Nearby, in Warrenville, the typical home value is $286,100: 15% less than in West Chicago ($336,800).

  2. West Chicago has the 24th largest share of rent-burdened renters of the 291 cities in Illinois with more than 5,000 people (61%).

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

The homes here

Housing in West Chicago

What homes there are in West Chicago, 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, standing on their own, make up 67% of homes here, against 58% in DuPage County.

Year built

In West Chicago, half of the homes were built before 1980; in DuPage County, before 1978.

There is more room for a big family here: 70% of homes have 3 bedrooms or more, against 63% in DuPage 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

About 88% of owner-occupied homes in West Chicago are worth less than the FHA loan limit for DuPage County ($541,287).

Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$2,428 a month

DuPage County: $2,450 a month

Without a mortgage

$1,035 a month

DuPage County: $1,056 a month

Owners with a mortgage

66%

DuPage County: 65%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in West Chicago is $2,428 a month, near the figure in DuPage County ($2,450).

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

The typical home value in West Chicago rose 35% since 2015–2019, more than in DuPage County (27%).

The typical rent in West Chicago rose 36% over the same time; in DuPage County, it rose 28%.

Here income did not keep up with housing: it rose 28%, while home values changed +35% and rent +36%.

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

MeasureWest ChicagoDuPage CountyIllinoisUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate5.6%5.0%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.7%1.0%0.9%
More than one person per room 10.0%2.7%2.5%3.4%
People per household 3.352.612.462.53
Drive alone 65%65%66%69%
Carpool 19%7%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate4%6%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate2%3%3%
Work from home 12%22%16%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%1%2%
Typical commute 20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

More than one person per room: that is how 10.0% of households in West Chicago live, more than in DuPage County (2.7%).

More people live in each home here: 3.35 on average, against 2.61 in DuPage County.

Carpooling is common in West Chicago: 19% of workers get to work that way, against 7% in DuPage 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 West Chicago?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in West Chicago, worth $336,800, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 39% of the typical household income in West Chicago, which is $99,927 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $138,001 a year.

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

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in West Chicago. 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 $11,788 (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

$3,220

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$330,700
Total interest
$475,799
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $5,688 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $2,332 a month

  • Tight

    $2,332 to $2,998 a month

  • Hard

    more than $2,998 a month

    Your payment · 39%

Compared with the typical household income in West Chicago ($99,927 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$3,220
Principal & interest$2,240
Property tax$690
Home insurance$140
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$149

You need at least $11,788 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

West Chicago and DuPage County

West Chicago is in DuPage 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).

West Chicago's own numbers

Typical home value
$336,800
Typical monthly rent
$1,469
Typical yearly household income
$99,927
Households that own their home
71%
Effective property tax rate
2.46%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of DuPage 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)
+46%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.8%

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 DuPage County.

Everything about DuPage County

Buying

Buying a home in West Chicago

A typical home in West Chicago is worth $336,800: 14% below the county and 28% above Illinois. With the typical household income in West Chicago ($99,927 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.

  • West Chicago 3.4 years
  • DuPage 3.5 years
  • Illinois 3.2 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in DuPage County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in DuPage County rose 64% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of DuPage County.

Period County Illinois U.S.
Last year (2025) +6.2% +5.7% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +46% +47% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +64% +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

West Chicago next to DuPage 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
  • West Chicago $336,800
  • DuPage $391,400
  • Illinois $263,300
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • West Chicago $1,469
  • DuPage $1,688
  • Illinois $1,274
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • West Chicago $99,927
  • DuPage $112,096
  • Illinois $83,390
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
West Chicago next to DuPage County and Illinois
Measure West Chicago DuPage County Illinois U.S.
Typical home value $336,800 $391,400 $263,300 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,469 $1,688 $1,274 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $99,927 $112,096 $83,390 $80,734
Households that own their home 71% 73% 67% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $8,277 $8,007 $5,298 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 2.46% 2.05% 2.01% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 61% 45% 48% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below DuPage 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 West Chicago

For a typical $336,800 home in West Chicago, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, West Chicago's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $3,220a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $11,788
    Cash to close
    $21,892
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $149

  • Conventional, 5% down $3,158a month

    Down payment
    $16,840
    Cash to close
    $26,944
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $160

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $2,656a month

    Down payment
    $67,360
    Cash to close
    $77,464
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $2,967a month

    Down payment
    $50,520
    Cash to close
    $60,624
    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 West Chicago and for DuPage County.

Property tax

Effective rate in West Chicago

2.46%of the home’s value each year

$8,277 a year for the typical owner in West Chicago.

  • West Chicago 2.46%
  • DuPage 2.05%
  • Illinois 2.01%

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

Exemptions and deadlines in Illinois

Flood risk in DuPage County

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

Homes in the high-risk zone
0.8%
2,485
Of those, with NFIP insurance
41%
County Illinois U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 0.8% 1.5% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 41% 25% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in West Chicago

Typical rent in West Chicago is $1,469 a month: 13% below the county. In West Chicago, 61% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of DuPage 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 DuPage 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 West Chicago

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). West Chicago is in ZIP code 60185.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,980: $31 less than the fair market rent for DuPage County ($2,011).

  • 60185 $1,980$2,550

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

HUD lists 3 buildings with rents for lower incomes in West Chicago. These are the largest.

  • Towne and Country Apartments 700 W Forest Ave, West Chicago 60185 189 homes, 179 low-income · For families (618) 797-0262
  • West Chicago Senior Apts 201 W North Ave, West Chicago 60185 99 low-income homes · 1 bd: 97 · 2 bd: 2 · In service since 2003 · For older adults
  • Main Street Lofts 487 Main St, West Chicago 60185 24 homes, 6 low-income (630) 966-4001

See all 38 buildings in DuPage County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in West Chicago

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 is 1 HUD-approved agency with an office in DuPage County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.

A grandmother smiles, seated at home.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in West Chicago

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

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

  • Dupage Homeownership Center, Inc. DBA H.o.m.e. Dupage, Inc.

    1600 E Roosevelt Rd, Wheaton · 7 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 7 more
    (630) 260-2500

  • The Neighbor Project

    32 S Broadway, Aurora · 11 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 6 more
    (630) 906-9400

  • Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Northern Illinois

    620 Wing St, Elgin · 11 miles away · Spanish

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

Every agency in DuPage County All counseling agencies in Illinois

Help in Spanish near West Chicago

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 West Chicago

In HUD’s record, no housing authority with an office in DuPage County is named for West Chicago or DuPage County.

One other authority has an office in DuPage County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in DuPage County

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

Everything about DuPage County Housing in Illinois
See 16 more cities in DuPage County, with prices and rents

Every city has its own page with prices, rents and help.

Nearby cities

The cities closest to West Chicago, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If DuPage 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 West Chicago.

All guides
A father smiles as he carries his baby on his shoulders outdoors.

Questions

Housing questions about West Chicago

Short answers with the numbers for West Chicago and all of DuPage 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 West Chicago?

The typical home value in West Chicago is $336,800, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in DuPage County it is $391,400.

How much does it cost to rent in West Chicago?

Typical rent in West Chicago is $1,469 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in DuPage County is $2,011.

What is the FHA loan limit in West Chicago?

West Chicago uses the FHA limit for all of DuPage 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 West Chicago?

The typical homeowner in West Chicago pays $8,277 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 2.46% of the home’s value; in DuPage County, the rate is 2.05%.

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

There is 1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in DuPage County. 1 says it serves 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).