When Is the Best Time to Rent an Apartment in Chicago?

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Chicagoans quickly learn that the seasons influence just about everything. Restaurant and bar patios fill up as soon as temperatures hit about 50 degrees, the lakefront comes alive in summer (who hasn’t heard of Summertime Chi by now?), and winter requires a little more planning. And though the market has its ebbs and flows with the seasons, it also has a seasonal rhythm of its own that’s a bit more unpredictable.

So, what time of year should you look for renting an apartment? There isn't one perfect answer. Spring and summer typically bring more people into the market and a wider variety of available apartments, while colder months may offer less competition and greater flexibility.

For renters who aren't tied to a specific move-in date, understanding those pros and cons can help figure out the best time to rent an apartment in Chicago based on what matters most to you.

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Spring: When the Rental Market Starts Picking Up

As Chicago comes out of winter, its rental market begins gaining momentum. More apartments start becoming available, and renters planning summer moves begin their searches.

Why Consider a Spring Apartment Search?

Spring can offer a useful middle ground between the quieter winter market and the height of summer leasing. Inventory is increasing, but you may be searching before the largest wave of summer renters.

It’s also a good time to explore neighborhoods in person. You can get a better sense of walkability, nearby parks, restaurants, transportation, and what an area actually feels like when residents are spending more time outside.

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Summer: More Choices, More Renters

Traditionally, summer is the busiest period for renting an apartment in Chicago. With many leases turning over, college graduates relocating, professionals changing jobs, and families coordinating moves after school is out, there’s usually a considerable uptick in activity.

That can be an advantage if your priority is choice.

Why Consider a Summer Apartment Search?

• You want to compare a larger selection of available apartments.
• You have specific requirements for your floor plan, location, or amenities.
• You would rather move during warmer weather than contend with a Chicago winter.

The trade-off is competition. Desirable apartments can move quickly, often in a matter of hours, during peak leasing periods, so summer renters should have their priorities and paperwork organized before beginning serious tours.

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Fall: An Underrated Time to Make a Move

Once the peak summer moving season begins winding down, fall can be the perfect time for renters with flexibility.

There may be fewer apartments available than during the height of summer, but there can also be fewer renters competing for them. Comfortable weather also makes touring neighborhoods and coordinating a move much more pleasant than doing so in January.

Why Consider a Fall Apartment Search?

Fall can make sense for renters who know what they want but aren't trying to choose from the largest possible pool of apartments. Depending on the property and current availability, renters may also encounter different pricing or leasing incentives than they would during peak summer season.

Rather than assuming a deal will be available, compare the complete lease terms of the apartments you're considering.

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Winter: Fewer Options, But Potential Opportunities

There is an obvious downside to moving in Chicago during winter: you're moving in Chicago during winter. Snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and shorter days can make apartment tours and your big moving day less convenient. That alone means fewer people voluntarily plan moves for the coldest part of the year.

However, for renters who don't mind bundling up, winter can present opportunities.

Why Consider a Winter Apartment Search?

With fewer people searching, renters may have more breathing room to consider their options. Some properties may also offer incentives or allow for more flexibility when filling apartments during slower periods.

Inventory can be more limited, though, so winter is not necessarily the best strategy if you have a very specific floor plan, view, or apartment type in mind.

So… When Should You Start Apartment Hunting?

The season you want to move isn't the same as the date you should start looking.

A useful rule of thumb is to begin researching roughly 60 to 90 days before your desired move-in date. With a 2-3 month window, it should give you time to narrow down neighborhoods, understand current pricing (or if the building or property management company is increasing prices at a certain date in the future), tour buildings, and prepare your application without starting so early that most available apartments have move-in dates before yours.

The best season depends on what you're trying to accomplish:

• For the widest selection: Look during the spring and summer.
• For (potentially) less competition: Consider fall or winter.
• For (usually) easier moving weather: Spring and fall have an obvious appeal.

Luxury high-rises can also have availability throughout the year, so renters shouldn't assume they need to wait until a particular season to begin looking.

Timing Your Search for a River North Apartment

If River North is already at the top of your list, your priorities may be more specific than simply finding an apartment somewhere in Chicago.

Maybe you want a particular view or floor plan or maybe you're looking for an apartment that works well for working from home, or amenities such as a fitness center and outdoor spaces matter more than having dozens of units to compare.

In those situations, the best time to rent an apartment in Chicago may simply be when the right apartment becomes available.

At The Gallery on Wells, residents can pair luxury apartment living with a River North location close to restaurants, nightlife, public transportation, downtown employers, and the Chicago River. Renters with flexible timelines can explore current availability rather than limiting their search to Chicago's traditional leasing season.

Let Your Priorities Set the Calendar

There are advantages to apartment hunting during every season in Chicago, but rather than waiting for a "best" month, consider what would make your own search successful. If you've found the neighborhood, building, floor plan, and lifestyle you're looking for, that's a much stronger reason to make a move than the date on the calendar.