Apartments to rent in Pilsen, Chicago

Pilsen typically reports moderate crime compared with Chicago overall: property crime and theft are the most common calls, while violent crime tends to be concentrated in specific blocks and varies year-to-year. Neighborhood-level crime indexes (CrimeGrade and local reporting) show Pilsen in the mid-range of Chicago neighborhoods — safer than some community areas but with notable hotspots around busy commercial corridors and certain intersections. Residents and newcomers are advised to use standard urban precautions (avoid poorly lit streets at night, secure vehicles, be aware around transit hubs).

Overview

Pilsen is a culturally rich, walkable Chicago neighborhood on the Lower West Side best known for its murals, Latino cultural institutions and the 18th Street dining corridor. Historically a working-class, Bohemian and then predominantly Mexican-American neighborhood, Pilsen today blends long-time residents, artists, and newcomers drawn to its galleries, restaurants and relatively central location a few minutes from the Loop.

Key Features

• Cultural hub: Home to the National Museum of Mexican Art and a dense street-art/murals tradition.
• Dining & nightlife: 18th Street is a neighborhood dining destination with taquerias, bakeries, and restaurants that attract citywide visitors.
• Walkable transit access: High Walk and Bike Scores and Pink Line access make Pilsen ideal for renters who prefer transit and biking.
• Community character: Strong neighborhood identity with long-standing small businesses and growing arts spaces.

Housing Snapshot

• Rental mix includes older two-flats, renovated walk-ups and some newer infill developments.
• Rent ranges are mid-city: one-bedroom median around the mid-$1,500s (market-dependent) with wide variation by building quality and location.
• Rising demand and redevelopment near the 18th Street corridor have pushed some rents higher in recent years.