More Homes Underwater in Chicago Than Other U.S. Cities

One in ten Chicago homes is currently underwater, more than double the national average.

1 minute read

March 22, 2018, 6:00 AM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


The Windy City

John McGraw / Shutterstock

Chicago has more homes underwater than any other city in the country, more than New York (the city with the second most homes underwater) and Los Angeles combined. "At the end of 2017, more than 135,000 Chicago-area home borrowers owed more on the mortgage than the property was worth, according to a report released by property data firm CoreLogic," writes Dennis Rodkin.

This is keeping some home owners in their current homes, because even those not at risk of foreclosure can't afford to put their homes on their market and lose the difference between what they owe on the house for and what it's currently worth. Because of this, both supply and demand fall.

"At year-end, 10 percent of Chicago-area homeowners with a mortgage were underwater. That's twice the nationwide rate of 4.9 percent," Rodkin reports. Miami is the only other large city in the country with a higher rate of underwater home ownership.

Friday, March 16, 2018 in Crain's Chicago Business

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

May 1 - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.