Key Takeaways
- In-unit laundry, A/C, parking, dishwashers, and garages are the five most searched-for amenities in Chicago on Apartments.com.
- 65% of searches in Chicago on Apartments.com are for one- and two-bedroom rentals.
- Understanding what renters are searching for in your area can help you tailor your rental listing to attract more prospective tenants, reducing your vacancy rate and increasing your profits.
What Renters Search For
If you’re thinking about investing in a rental property in Chicago, it’s important to know the basic features Chicago renters are looking for.
Rental size
One- and two-bedroom rentals make up 65% of searches in Chicago on Apartments.com, while studios and larger rentals are less popular. If you’re thinking about investing in rental property in Chicago, a smaller rental is the way to go.
Price range
An almost completely even spread across price ranges shows that renters are aware of the higher cost that comes with living in a metropolitan city center. These price ranges line up with Chicago’s average rent range of $1,588/month for a studio to $3,004/month for a three-bedroom apartment.
To appeal to your target market while pricing your rental competitively, use Apartments.com’s rent comp reports to see what similar rentals nearby are charging. Take into account your rental’s size, location, and amenities before settling on a monthly rent.
Keywords
CoStar data reveals that renters searching for a place to live in Chicago are most likely to filter results by keywords like “Character,” “Views,” “Unit location,” “Natural Light,” and “Hot Tub.” Including these keywords in your property description (if applicable) can help you reach more prospective renters who are narrowing their search using keywords.
If your rental has large windows that overlook the city, highlight the stunning view and the natural light that flows in. If your rental is in a historic building, emphasize the rental’s unique character.
Amenities
When you list a property for rent, it’s important to highlight specific features that renters want. CoStar Group data reveals the top amenities that renters search for when looking for a rental in the Windy City.
The five most popular amenities in Chicago in 2025 are:
In-unit washer and dryer
Chicago’s laundromats are scattered all over the city, and getting stuck in traffic just to wash clothes each week can get old quickly. Renters look for in-unit laundry to save time and make their lives easier, so installing a washer and dryer can help you attract more leads and retain tenants.
Installing a washer and dryer comes with an up-front cost, but you can save money in the long run by installing ENERGY STAR-certified washers and dryers. ENERGY STAR-certified laundry sets use 35% less water than standard washers and 20% less energy than standard dryers, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. If you include utilities in your rent price, energy-efficient appliances like these can help increase your profit by lowering your utility bills.
Air conditioning
Chicago’s location along Lake Michigan means it’s susceptible to weather extremes. While the Chicago Heat Ordinance requires landlords to provide heating during winter months, air conditioning is not a requirement. But with summer temperatures averaging 74.1 degrees between 2014 and 2024, most renters view A/C as a must-have.
Parking
Parking can be hard to come by in a big city like Chicago, especially the closer you get to The Loop. This scarcity makes renters value parking all the more.
If you’re looking to invest in a new rental property, choose a property that has parking space and list parking as an amenity in your rental listing. This will help you reach more renters who are looking for a property like yours.
Dishwasher
Dishwashers are another convenience that renters value for saving time. Listing a dishwasher as an amenity and including photos of the kitchen area that show the dishwasher can help you attract renters, especially those who love to cook.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, ENERGY STAR-certified dishwashers use less water than hand-washing dishes. If you include utilities in rent or charge a flat rate for utilities, you may end up with more money in your pocket by lowering your tenant’s water bill.
Garage
Covered parking is even more valuable in a city like Chicago, where residents usually see around 38.4 inches of snow each year, according to the National Weather Service. Offering covered parking can save your tenants from having to scrape ice off their cars in the middle of January.
Whether you’re a first-time landlord or you manage several properties, understanding what your target market is looking for in a rental is key to attracting and retaining good tenants. Catering to the demand for smaller rentals with amenities like in-unit laundry and covered parking can make your listing stand out by speaking directly to renters’ priorities. Building your property management strategy around meeting renters’ needs can help you attract more leads, increase tenants’ satisfaction, and reduce vacancy rates and turnover.
Data provided by CoStar Group’s June 2025 reports.
