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Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Elgin

Elgin, IL has 18 affordable and income-based rental properties with a combined 1,485 units across the city. Of the 8 properties with inspection scores on record, all rated good or excellent, with none falling into fair or poor categories. With a citywide median rent of $1,361 per month (Census ACS 5-Year, 2024), income-based housing here can offer meaningful savings for eligible renters.

18
Properties
1,485
Total units
89/100
Avg HUD score

At a glance

🏠 Affordability
$1,361/mo

Affordability in Elgin, IL

According to Census ACS 5-Year data (as of 2024), the median monthly rent in Elgin is $1,361 and the median household income is $90,282 annually, with renters making up 28% of households. Elgin has 11 HUD-assisted or income-restricted properties totaling 947 units, which can offer a significant alternative to market-rate rents for eligible households.

Census ACS 5-Year
🛡️ Safety
275 / 100k · 2024

Safety

According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Elgin Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 275 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Note that crime rates are not directly comparable across cities due to differences in reporting practices and definitions.

Of the 11 HUD-assisted properties in Elgin mapped for flood risk, none are located in a high-risk flood zone.

FBI Crime Data Explorer
🚶 Getting around
Walk Score 64 · Somewhat Walkable

Getting Around Elgin

According to Walk Score, the area around assisted properties in Elgin rates 64 (Somewhat Walkable) for walking, 41 (Some Transit) for public transit, and 57 for biking. These scores reflect conditions near the city's income-based and HUD-assisted housing.

Walk Score
🎓 Schools
31 schools · 4 districts

Schools

According to NCES Common Core of Data, 31 schools across 4 districts serve Elgin, including 19 elementary, 5 middle, 6 high schools, and 1 other. Ratings vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for a specific address.

NCES Common Core of Data
📊 Cost of living
$90,282 median income

Cost of Renting in Elgin, IL

The median household income in Elgin is $90,282 per year, according to the Census ACS 5-Year estimate. The median monthly rent across all rental housing in the city is $1,361, also per Census ACS 5-Year data.

Affordable and income-based housing in Elgin can offer significant savings for eligible renters. Rents at HUD-assisted and income-restricted properties are typically tied to a percentage of your household income or capped based on area income limits, rather than set at market rate.

  • Median monthly rent (all rentals): $1,361 (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Median household income: $90,282/year (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Share of households that rent: 28% (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Affordable housing units tracked by Lease Lantern: 947 across 11 properties

If your household income is below the area median, you may qualify for reduced rents at one or more of the income-restricted properties listed on this page. Contact individual properties directly to ask about current income limits and availability.

Census ACS 5-Year
🌊 Environment & risk

Environment

All 11 HUD-assisted properties in Elgin have been mapped for flood risk, and none fall in a high-risk flood zone.

FEMA · EPA AirNow
HUD Inspection Scoresavg 89/100(8 of 18 scored)
90+ (4)70–89 (4)No score (10)

18 properties on the map

Top-rated properties

Browse all 18 affordable apartments in Elgin→

Other cities in IL

› Affordable housing in Alton› Aurora income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Chicago› Danville affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Decatur› Affordable housing in East Saint Louis› Evanston income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Freeport› Galesburg affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Joliet› Affordable housing in Kankakee› Palatine income-based apartments

Your rights & resources

› How HUD & Section 8 housing works› Tenant rights in IL› Housing assistance & waitlists› Free legal aid (LawHelp)› Energy bill help (LIHEAP)

Read more

A Closer Look at Affordable Housing in Elgin, IL

Elgin is a sizable Fox River city in the Chicago metro area with a mix of HUD-assisted and income-based rental options. Lease Lantern tracks 11 properties and 947 units here.

In the meantime, here is a snapshot of what the data shows:

  • Inspection scores: Of the 8 scored properties, 4 rated excellent and 4 rated good, with none falling into fair or poor ranges, according to HUD inspection data.
  • Flood risk: All 11 mapped properties carry no high flood risk designation.
  • Median rent: The citywide median rent is $1,361 per month, according to Census ACS 5-Year data (as of 2024).
  • Median household income: $90,282 annually, according to Census ACS 5-Year data (as of 2024).
  • Renter share: About 28% of Elgin households rent their home, according to Census ACS 5-Year data (as of 2024).
  • Violent crime rate: 294 per 100,000 residents, reported by the Elgin Police Department, according to FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024).
  • Walkability and transit: Elgin scores 64 (Somewhat Walkable), 41 (Some Transit), and 57 for bikeability, according to Walk Score.
  • Schools: The city is served by 4 districts and 31 public schools, including 19 elementary, 5 middle, and 6 high schools, according to NCES Common Core of Data.

Eligibility & how to apply

Illinois income limits (2026)Illinois public housing authoritiesSection 8 waitlists in Illinois

Helpful guides

How Section 8 Vouchers WorkWhat Is Income-Based Housing?How to Apply for Affordable HousingSection 8 vs. LIHTCUnderstanding HUD Inspection ScoresHow Affordable Housing Waitlists Work
Research: what 22,600 HUD inspection scores reveal →