Best Mortgage Rates in Cook County, Illinois
Chicago metro county, the second most populous county in the US.
Rate data: Freddie Mac PMMS · Updated September 17, 2026 (build 2026-09-17)
| Loan Type | Cook County | Illinois Avg | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-Year Fixed | 6.630% | 6.580% | 6.710% |
| 15-Year Fixed | 5.880% | 5.830% | 5.875% |
| 30-Year FHA | 6.380% | 6.330% | 6.375% |
| 30-Year VA | 6.130% | 6.080% | 6.125% |
County figures are the Illinois average adjusted for local market conditions. Actual rates vary by lender, credit score, and loan size.
In Cook County, property tax runs 1.89% of home value — $541/mo on the $343,350 median home. That's not a footnote; it's 19% of the PITI total before you finance anything.
Run the same home with 10% down and your payment includes $180/mo of PMI on top. Combined: $2,851/mo — and on an $80,000 household income, that lands a 50.3% back-end DTI, above the 43% conventional ceiling.
What this means in practice: in high-tax counties, the tax bill, not the rate, is what breaks your qualification. The lever that fixes it is usually the down payment — every 5 points of down payment removes roughly $181/mo and pulls DTI down by 2.7 points. The second lever is loan type: FHA underwrites to 57% back-end.
Your Cook County payment already includes $541/mo in property tax
And if you're putting down less than 20%, PMI adds $180/mo on top. Run your income through the DTI gauge: if it's over 43%, most conventional lenders stop the conversation there. You don't want to find that out at underwriting.
Two moves keep you in the game: a larger down payment, or a lender that writes high-DTI files. FHA caps at 57%, and some licensed lenders offer PMI-reduction programs. Match your profile against lenders rather than picking one on brand.
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Calculate your Cook County monthly payment
Principal, interest, taxes, insurance & PMI — the true monthly cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average mortgage rate in Cook County, Illinois?
The average 30-year fixed rate in Cook County is about 6.630% as of September 17, 2026, based on the state average of 6.580% adjusted for local market conditions. Your actual rate depends on credit score, loan size, and lender.
How much house can I afford in Cook County?
With a typical 20% down payment and the 6.630% county-average rate, a $100,000 household income qualifies for roughly a $400,000-$450,000 home before property taxes and insurance. Use our affordability calculator for your exact numbers.
Should I get a 15-year or 30-year mortgage in Cook County?
A 15-year loan runs about 5.880% in Cook County — around 0.75% lower than a 30-year — but the monthly payment is roughly 40-50% higher. Choose 15 years if you want to minimize total interest; choose 30 if monthly cash flow matters more.