In Zion, a typical home is worth $183,800 and typical rent is $1,186 a month. Compared with all of Lake County, the typical home value is 47% lower, typical household income is 43% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 17 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $171,385 to $256,335.
Typical rent
$1,396a month
= about the same as 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2025 to September 2026: from $1,390 to $1,396.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Zion is in Lake 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 Lake County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
The typical home in Zion is worth $183,800,47% less than in Lake County as a whole ($345,700).
2
The typical household income in Zion is $63,104,43% less than in Lake County as a whole ($110,416).
3
58% of households in Zion own their home, against 75% in Lake County.
4
The typical rent in Zion is $1,186 a month, 20% less than in Lake County as a whole ($1,477).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Zion
What homes there are in Zion, 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
Zion
Lake County
Illinois
United States
Kind of home: Zion and its comparisons
Measure
Zion
Lake County
Illinois
United States
Detached house
64%
67%
58%
61%
Attached house
5%
10%
6%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
12%
6%
12%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
18%
16%
22%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
2%
2%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
As in Lake County, most homes in Zion are detached houses (64%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Zion
Lake County
Illinois
United States
Year built: Zion and its comparisons
Measure
Zion
Lake County
Illinois
United States
Before 1960
32%
21%
38%
26%
1960–1979
32%
25%
26%
24%
1980–1999
24%
33%
20%
25%
2000–2009
10%
15%
11%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
6%
6%
11%
The typical home in Zion was built in 1971, 12 years before the typical one in Lake County.
In Zion, 18% of homes have 1 bedroom or none (studios); 63% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 68% in Lake 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 $100K8%
$100K–$200K55%
$200K–$300K29%
$300K–$500K7%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Zion and its comparisons
Measure
Zion
Under $100K
8%
$100K–$200K
55%
$200K–$300K
29%
$300K–$500K
7%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
The FHA limit for Lake County is high ($541,287): at least 99% of owner-occupied homes in Zion are worth less than $500,000.
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $50012%
$500–$99924%
$1,000–$1,49936%
$1,500–$1,99921%
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $2,011
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Zion and its comparisons
Measure
Zion
Under $500
12%
$500–$999
24%
$1,000–$1,499
36%
$1,500–$1,999
21%
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
At least 94% of rented homes in Zion cost less than $2,000, below HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent ($2,011).
With a mortgage
$1,765 a month
Lake County: $2,503 a month
Without a mortgage
$851 a month
Lake County: $1,088 a month
Owners with a mortgage
65%
Lake County: 64%
In Zion, 65% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,765 a month, against $2,503 in Lake County. Without one it drops to $851.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Zion+48%
Lake County+30%
Illinois+35%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Zion+17%
Lake County+23%
Illinois+26%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Zion+22%
Lake County+24%
Illinois+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Zion and its comparisons
Measure
Zion
Lake County
Illinois
United States
Typical home value
+48%
+30%
+35%
+53%
Typical rent
+17%
+23%
+26%
+33%
Typical household income
+22%
+24%
+27%
+29%
Since 2015–2019, homes in Zion gained value faster than in Lake County: 48% against 30%.
Rents in Zion rose more slowly than in Lake County: 17% since 2015–2019, against 23%.
The typical household income in Zion rose 22% over that time; home values changed +48% and rent +17%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Zion and its comparisons
Measure
Zion
Lake County
Illinois
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
3.7%
5.0%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.9%
1.0%
0.9%
More than one person per room
8.4%
2.9%
2.5%
3.4%
People per household
2.74
2.69
2.46
2.53
Drive alone
72%
66%
66%
69%
Carpool
14%
9%
8%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
3%
6%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
2%
3%
3%
Work from home
8%
20%
16%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
More than one person per room: that is how 8.4% of households in Zion live, more than in Lake County (2.9%).
Much as in Lake County, a household in Zion has 2.74 people on average.
Carpooling is common in Zion: 14% of workers get to work that way, against 9% in Lake County.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Zion?
A typical home is tight for the typical income
We start with a typical home in Zion, worth $183,800, 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 Zion, which is $63,104 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $81,021 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Lake 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 Zion. 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 $6,433 (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
$1,891
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$180,471
Total interest
$259,655
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $3,104 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,472 a month
Tight
$1,472 to $1,893 a month
Your payment · 36%
Hard
more than $1,893 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Zion ($63,104 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$1,223
Property tax
$510
Home insurance
$77
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$81
You need at least $6,433 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 $1,891; principal and interest $1,223.
The city and its county
Zion and Lake County
Zion is in Lake 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).
Zion
Map of Lake County, Illinois, with Zion marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Zion
Lake County
Other cities with a page
Zion's own numbers
Typical home value
$183,800
Typical monthly rent
$1,186
Typical yearly household income
$63,104
Households that own their home
58%
Effective property tax rate
3.33%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Lake 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)
+54%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
2%
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 Lake County.
A typical home in Zion is worth $183,800: 47% below the county and 30% below Illinois. With the typical household income in Zion ($63,104 a year), a typical home costs 2.9 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.
Zion2.9 years
Lake3.1 years
Illinois3.2 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Lake County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Lake County rose 66% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Lake County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Lake County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +2.3% +2.3% 2016
2017: +1.8% +1.8% 2017
2018: +1.3% +1.3% 2018
2019: +1.9% +1.9% 2019
2020: +0.5% +0.5% 2020
2021: +8.3% +8.3% 2021
2022: +13.8% +13.8% 2022
2023: +9.0% +9.0% 2023
2024: +7.6% +7.6% 2024
2025: +6.7% +6.7% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Lake County, Illinois and the United States
Period
County
Illinois
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+6.7%
+5.7%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+54%
+47%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+66%
+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
Zion next to Lake 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
Zion$183,800
Lake$345,700
Illinois$263,300
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Zion$1,186
Lake$1,477
Illinois$1,274
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Zion$63,104
Lake$110,416
Illinois$83,390
United States$80,734
See the full table
Zion next to Lake County and Illinois
Measure
Zion
Lake County
Illinois
U.S.
Typical home value
$183,800 ▼47% below the county
$345,700
$263,300
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,186 ▼20% below the county
$1,477
$1,274
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$63,104 ▼43% below the county
$110,416
$83,390
$80,734
Households that own their home
58% ▼17 points below the county
75%
67%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$6,120 ▼31% below the county
$8,923
$5,298
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
3.33% ▲0.75 points above the county
2.58%
2.01%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
55% ▲5 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 Lake 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 Zion
For a typical $183,800 home in Zion, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Zion's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$1,890a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$6,433
Cash to close
$11,947
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $81
Conventional, 5% down$1,857a month
Down payment
$9,190
Cash to close
$14,704
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $87
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$1,583a month
Down payment
$36,760
Cash to close
$42,274
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$1,753a month
Down payment
$27,570
Cash to close
$33,084
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Zion
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$1,890
$6,433
$180,471
7.18%
FHA MIP · $81
$11,947
580
Conventional, 5% down
$1,857
$9,190
$174,610
7.18%
PMI · $87
$14,704
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$1,583
$36,760
$147,040
7.18%
None
$42,274
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$1,753
$27,570
$156,230
8.18%
None
$33,084
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 Zion is $1,186 a month: 20% below the county. In Zion, 55% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Lake 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.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Lake County (Fiscal year 2027)
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 Zion
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Zion is in ZIP code 60099.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,640: $371 less than the fair market rent for Lake County ($2,011).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Zion, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
60099
$1,370
$1,450
$1,640
$2,110
$2,410
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
60099 $1,640$2,110
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Zion 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 8 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Zion. These are the largest.
Crane Meadows Apts1503 Lorelei Dr, Zion 60099266 homes, 263 low-income · Studio: 16 · 1 bd: 128 · 2 bd: 98 · In service since 2011
Scattered Sites1525 27th St, Zion 60099160 homes, 159 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the County of Lake, IL. · Average payment: $484 a month · Average wait: 30 months · Homes at several sites(847) 223-1170
Waterford Apts Phase I1503 Lorelei Dr, Zion 60099144 low-income homes · Studio: 12 · 1 bd: 84 · 2 bd: 48 · In service since 1993
Horizon Villlage/West Zion Highland4119 Barberry Ln, Zion 60099272 homes, 105 low-income · For families(847) 746-2228
Zion Senior Cottages1005 Prestwick St, Zion 60099110 homes, 82 low-income · 1 bd: 62 · 2 bd: 48 · In service since 2006
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 Lake County; 1 says it serves in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Zion or Lake County. The ones below are statewide in Illinois: they work in Zion 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 Zion or Lake 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 Zion and all of Lake 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 Zion?
The typical home value in Zion is $183,800, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Lake County it is $345,700.
How much does it cost to rent in Zion?
Typical rent in Zion is $1,186 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Lake County is $2,011.
What is the FHA loan limit in Zion?
Zion uses the FHA limit for all of Lake 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 Zion?
The typical homeowner in Zion pays $6,120 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 3.33% of the home’s value; in Lake County, the rate is 2.58%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Zion?
There are 2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Lake County. 1 says it serves in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
