For Immediate Release: July 23, 2026
Contact: Kristin Ginger, Director of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois, kristin@housingactionil.org or 312-854-3333
CHICAGO, IL – Full-time workers need to earn $30.36 per hour to afford a modest, two-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent in Illinois. This is Illinois’ “2026 Housing Wage” according to Out of Reach, a report published jointly today by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) and Housing Action Illinois.
Out of Reach, released annually, documents the gulf between wages and what people need to earn to afford their rents. The report shows that affordable rental homes remain out of reach for millions of low-wage workers and their families. The report’s Housing Wage is an estimate of the hourly wage full-time workers must earn to afford a rental home at HUD’s Fair Market Rent without spending more than 30% of their incomes.
This year, for the first time, the Housing Wage for Illinois has surpassed $30 per hour. Costs in the Chicago metropolitan area are even higher, with a Housing Wage of $34.25. Statewide, the Housing Wage ranges from $39.42 in the Kendall County metropolitan area to $17.62 in certain rural areas of central and southern Illinois.
“High rental costs continue to hurt people with the lowest incomes the most, especially minimum wage earners and people with disabilities,” said Bob Palmer, Policy Director for Housing Action Illinois. “For people experiencing homelessness, it’s a particularly difficult environment to find affordable apartments, both for the directly impacted people and the nonprofits who work with them.”
In Illinois, the maximum monthly Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment for an individual is $994. Therefore, a person on SSI can only afford $298 a month in rent without paying more than 30% of their income for housing. If someone is earning the state minimum wage of $15, they must work 81 hours per week to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment.
In 2026, the average hourly wage earned by Illinois renters is $24. Even for a one bedroom apartment, a worker must earn $26.32.
Out of Reach 2026 highlights the significant need for rental subsidies, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, and deeply affordable rental housing to assist the lowest-income renters. Despite this need, federal resources for affordable housing remain insufficient. Currently, only one in four eligible households receives federal housing assistance due to chronic underfunding. This underfunding is largely a result of housing assistance programs, which are not entitlements, competing for limited discretionary federal funding.
For additional information, and to download the report, visit: http://www.nlihc.org/oor
###
About Housing Action Illinois
Housing Action Illinois has been leading the movement to end homelessness, address the shortage of affordable rental housing, and expand homeownership opportunities in Illinois for nearly 40 years. With our 200+ member organizations, we bring everyone together to work toward our vision of an Illinois where everyone has a stable, good home.