In Illinois, most land projects cost between $1,000 and $50,000 per acre, with a typical price near $5,000. Local labour, permits and materials move the final price, so treat the range below as a planning guide.
Typical land cost
$1,000 – $50,000
per acre · typical $5,000
A general planning range, not a quotation.
Land cost breakdown
- Rural / agricultural$1,000 – $10,000typical $5,000
- Suburban residential lot$20,000 – $200,000typical $75,000
- Prime commercial / urban$500,000 – $5,000,000typical $1,000,000
At a glance
- Typical range$1,000 – $50,000
- Unitper acre
- Cities covered50
What Lots and Land costs
Represents the price of raw land per acre, from cheap rural farmland to expensive residential lots. Prices depend on location, zoning, utilities access, and development potential. This is a broad range.
By city in Illinois
- Addison
- Alton
- Arlington Heights
- Belleville
- Berwyn
- Bolingbrook
- Buffalo Grove
- Calumet City
- Carbondale
- Carol Stream
- Carpentersville
- Champaign
- Chicago
- Cicero
- Crystal Lake
- DeKalb
- Decatur
- Des Plaines
- Downers Grove
- Elgin
- Elmhurst
- Evanston
- Glenview
- Hanover Park
- Hoffman Estates
- Joliet
- Kankakee
- Lombard
- Moline
- Mount Prospect
- Naperville
- Normal
- Oak Lawn
- Oak Park
- Orland Park
- Palatine
- Park Ridge
- Peoria
- Rock Island
- Rockford
- Romeoville
- Round Lake Beach
- Schaumburg
- Skokie
- Springfield
- Streamwood
- Tinley Park
- Urbana
- Waukegan
- Wheaton
Frequently asked questions
What affects land prices?
Location, access to roads and utilities, zoning, topography, and market demand. Water access raises value.
Is buying land a good investment?
It can appreciate, but it's illiquid and may have holding costs like property tax. Research development plans.
How do I price a parcel?
Compare with recent land sales in the area, adjust for size, location, and improvements. A realtor helps.