Mortgage payment estimates, closing cost breakdowns, and homebuying data for DeKalb, Illinois.
Median Home Price
$175K
Population
43K
Avg Monthly Rent
$920
Property Tax Rate
2.07% *
* Property tax shown is the Illinois state average effective rate. Actual rates vary by county, city, and school district — check with your local assessor for exact rates in DeKalb.
DeKalb vs Illinois Median
The median home price in DeKalb is $175,000, which is 35% below the Illinois state median of $270,000.
Mortgage Calculator — DeKalb, IL
Pre-filled with DeKalb median home price and Illinois tax/insurance rates. Adjust for your property.
Three down payment scenarios for a $175K home using Illinois's 2.07% tax rate and $1,900/yr insurance.
5% Down
$1,608/mo
Down: $8,750
Loan: $166K
P&I: $1,051
Tax: $302
Insurance: $158
PMI: $97
10% Down
$1,548/mo
Down: $17,500
Loan: $158K
P&I: $996
Tax: $302
Insurance: $158
PMI: $92
20% Down (No PMI)
$1,345/mo
Down: $35,000
Loan: $140K
P&I: $885
Tax: $302
Insurance: $158
Income needed (28% rule): $58K/year with 20% down, $66K/year with 10% down.
Rent vs Buy in DeKalb
Rent
$920/mo
vs
Buy (10% down)
$1,548/mo
Price-to-rent ratio: 15.9 — A ratio between 15-20 means the rent vs buy decision in DeKalb depends heavily on your timeline. If you plan to stay 5+ years, buying likely wins. For shorter stays, renting preserves flexibility.
The median home price in DeKalb is $175,000, 35% below the Illinois state median of $270,000. With a population of 42,849, DeKalb is a smaller market where home prices tend to be more accessible than in many parts of Illinois.
Property taxes in Illinois average 2.07% annually. This higher-than-average tax rate means a $175,000 home in DeKalb would carry roughly $302/month in property taxes alone — plan accordingly. Homeowners insurance in Illinois runs approximately $1,900 per year. This is within the normal range nationally.
Average rent in DeKalb is $920/month. The price-to-rent ratio in DeKalb is moderate, meaning the buy-vs-rent decision depends heavily on how long you plan to stay.
DeKalb offers strong affordability. With median prices under $250K, first-time buyers have realistic paths to homeownership, especially combined with Illinois's IHDA 1stHomeIllinois program.
Run a Rent vs Buy analysis
Compare total costs of renting vs buying in DeKalb.