Real Estate

These Are The Hottest Rental Markets in Illinois, New Analysis Says

The Chicago suburbs are the hottest rental market outside of Miami, according to a new ranking.

Occupancy rates for housing rentals in the Chicago suburbs is over 95 percent, according to a new ranking.
Occupancy rates for housing rentals in the Chicago suburbs is over 95 percent, according to a new ranking. (Shutterstock)

ILLINOIS — The Chicago suburbs have the second-most competitive market for apartment hunters nationwide so far in 2025, according to a new report that ranked the country's hottest rental markets.

Rent Cafe, a website connecting renters and property managers, said its ranking of the hottest rental markets nationwide revealed 10 of the top 20 most competitive metros are located in the Midwest, which appeals to remote workers who are seeking affordability and more space.

The suburban Chicago area, with an occupancy rate of 95.4 percent, has a competitive score of 88.4, ranking just after the Miami metro area. Apartments are typically vacant for about 39 days before they are snapped up.

Find out what's happening in Across Illinoisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The City of Chicago is also in the top 20, ranking at No. 18 in terms of competitiveness. It has an occupancy rate of 79.3 percent, with apartments typically vacant for 40 days before they are snapped up.

According to Rent Cafe, securing a rental in the suburbs has become "incredibly tough," thanks to factors that attract renters, including "affordability, strong job market, access to public transit and the rise of thriving suburban downtowns." Meanwhile, over 70 percent of renters in the suburbs choose to renew their leases, up from around 68 percent in 2024.

Find out what's happening in Across Illinoisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

And while occupancy rates are up, "new housing supply only grew by 0.26 percent, a sharp drop from the 0.51% increase seen at the start of 2024."

Here’s the full list of the hottest metro markets:

Miami
Suburban Chicago
North Jersey, New Jersey
Lansing-Ann Arbor, Michigan
Suburban Philadelphia
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Cincinnati
Omaha, Nebraska
Bridgeport-New Haven, Connecticut
Milwaukee
Suburban Twin Cities, Minnesota/Wisconsin
Detroit
Broward County, Florida
Orange County, California
Kansas City, Missouri
Silicon Valley, California
Eastern Los Angeles
Chicago
Orlando, Florida
Eastern Virginia


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