Area Guide
Uptown is where renters choose to live if they love entertainment. Throughout the neighborhood you’ll find everything from walking tours highlighting the hangouts of Chicago gangsters to the city's hottest nightclubs and theaters to the best shops and restaurants around. Uptown Chicago stretches along Lake Michigan and includes the popular summer hotspot Montrose Beach. For those moving to Chicago with a pet, Montrose Dog Beach is also a very popular destination. In winter, Cricket Hill is one of the city's favorite sledding spots.
What is it like to live in Uptown? It’s historic, walkable, and distinctive. Uptown is home to some fantastic landmarks, such as Aragon Ballroom. The ballroom opened in 1926, and legends about secret tunnels and Al Capone abound. During the Big Band era, the ballroom hosted some of the biggest names in music, including Glenn Miller, Lawrence Welk, Guy Lombardo, Benny Goodman, and Duke Ellington. Today, the theater is still hosting some of the biggest names in music and is often used for filming.
Uptown has been a nightlife hotspot for most of its history and that hasn't changed. Today, the neighborhood hosts concerts and events, such as the Argyle Night Market and Taste of Uptown. Wrigley Field, home to the legendary Chicago Cubs, is just south of Uptown. This pedestrian-friendly neighborhood offers easy access to the "L," especially along North Broadway. If you choose to move to an apartment in Uptown and want to be near a subway station, look along North Broadway near the intersections of Argyle Street, Lawrence Avenue, or Wilson Avenue.
The El train passes through Uptown
Shopping in Uptown
Historic buildings are filled with shops, restaurants, and theaters
A beautiful summer day in an Uptown park
Montrose beach during the summer in Uptown
As of July 2026, the average apartment rent in Uptown Chicago is $1,271 for a studio, $1,760 for one bedroom, $2,271 for two bedrooms, and $2,415 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Uptown Chicago has increased by 4.6% in the past year.
Studio
374 sq ft
Average Sq Ft
$1,271/month
Average Rent
1 BR
592 sq ft
Average Sq Ft
$1,760/month
Average Rent
2 BR
837 sq ft
Average Sq Ft
$2,271/month
Average Rent
3 BR
1,121 sq ft
Average Sq Ft
$2,415/month
Average Rent
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Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Uptown Chicago - Chicago, IL is for everyday living.
Exceptionally Walkable
Walkability
Strong Public Transit
Transit
Moderately Drivable
Drivability
Very Bikeable
Bikeability
In Uptown Chicago - Chicago, IL, daily errands are quick and hassle-free.
Supermarket Within a 5 Minute Walk
Groceries
Exceptional Restaurant Variety Nearby
Restaurants
Exceptional Café Variety Nearby
Cafes
Great Variety of Shops Nearby
Shopping
Uptown Chicago - Chicago, IL provides ample green space and fitness centers within easy reach.
Exceptional Amount of Park Space Nearby
Parks
Exceptional Wellness Amenity Variety Nearby
Wellness
Get a sense of what it’s like to live in Uptown Chicago - Chicago, IL from everyday activity to noise and nightlife.
Highly Vibrant Atmosphere
Vibrancy
Exceptional Nightlife Variety Nearby
Nightlife
Somewhat Noisy
Quiet Score
Current Resident
2 years and 10 months ago•Niche Review
I don't know where to start, our alderman could be better because the neighborhood is so bad and I haven't seen any change. There isn't much to see or do in uptown and it's so dangerous in this neighborhood. There are druggies and people up to no good that hang out on the corners, bus stops and parking lots harassing you as you walk past. Someone gets shot at least once a month because of the gang/gun violence. They are closing down some restaurants in the area so carryout dinner options are limited. The only thing I like about this neighborhood is that I'm walking distance from the lake (about 8mins) and that there is a Target, jewel-osco and an Aldi near my house, so I have convenient options for groceries.
Current Resident
4 years ago•Niche Review
It's a pretty nice neighbor hood. There's alot to do, a lot of stores, a lot of resturants. And the best thing is that it is next to the beach. It's also a 10 minute drive to downtown, sometimes even less depending on traffic.
Current Resident
5 years and 5 months ago•Niche Review
Uptown is an incredibly diverse neighborhood with great transportation and food options. Some parts of the neighborhood are somewhat rundown but there is a definite influx and revival of culture and the arts that is exciting to witness. Close access to the lakefront and green spaces.
Current Resident
5 years and 10 months ago•Niche Review
Uptown gives you the feeling of living in the city of Chicago without being overwhelmed in comparison to living closer to the downtown area. In the neighborhood there is great diversity which is reflected in the population and businesses present here.
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.
