CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for general rental centers in Chicago, IL-IN
General rental centers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area: 67 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 7-person team.
- Establishments
- 67CBP 2023
- Employees
- 483mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 0.7U.S. 0.8
- Rank
- 3rd of 219areas by count
How many general rental centers are in Chicago, IL-IN?
County Business Patterns counts 67 general rental centers (NAICS 532310, General Rental Centers) in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area for 2023. They employed 483 people in mid-March and paid $25.6 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 3rd out of 219 areas with published figures for general rental centers.
Measured against its 9.4 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 0.7 general rental centers per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 0.8, so Chicago, IL-IN is 11.1% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 7.2 employees, compared with 7.2 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $52,986, 10.2% below the national $59,025.
| Measure | Chicago, IL-IN | Illinois | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 67 | 110 | 2,725 |
| Mid-March employees | 483 | 764 | 19,738 |
| Annual payroll | $25,592,000 | $38,599,000 | $1,165,027,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 7.2 | 6.9 | 7.2 |
| Payroll per employee | $52,986 | $50,522 | $59,025 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at general rental centers in Chicago, IL-IN
Of the general rental centers in Chicago, IL-IN that had employees in March 2023, 48.4% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 50.8%). 79.7% had fewer than ten. When a business has only a few people, whoever is free answers the phone, and calls that arrive while everyone is busy go to voicemail unless they are routed somewhere else.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 31 | 48.4% | 50.8% |
| 5–9 employees | 20 | 31.3% | 26.8% |
| 10–19 employees | 13 | 20.3% | 15.4% |
| 20–49 employees | not published | — | 6.1% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 1.0% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Why the phone matters for general rental centers in Chicago, IL-IN
General rental centers rent tools, party equipment and more, and customers call about availability and delivery. Weekend events drive call peaks. That holds for general rental centers in Chicago, IL-IN as much as anywhere.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for general rental centers in Chicago, IL-IN:
- A customer calls about renting tables and chairs for a party.
- The center calls a customer about delivery.
- An event planner calls about a tent.
What general rental centers text about
Rental centers text delivery and return reminders.
Texts sent from a local business number in Chicago, IL-IN have to be registered with carriers first (10DLC); on Callata that is a one-time $49 fee, after which the whole team can text from the shared number.
Phone system pricing for a 7-person general rental center
The average general rental center in Chicago, IL-IN has 7.2 employees, so a 7-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Priced per seat, 7 users would run $210.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $174.65 on Ooma Office Pro (month-to-month list prices, checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $139.00 a month for 7 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $852 less than RingCentral for a general rental center in Chicago, IL-IN of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $139.00 | $1,668.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $133.00 | $1,596.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $161.00 | $1,932.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $174.65 | $2,095.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $189.00 | $2,268.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $210.00 | $2,520.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Local area codes for general rental centers in Chicago, IL-IN
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 8 area codes. 630 has the most, with 778 of 3,886 exchanges (20%). A local number lets customers in Chicago, IL-IN call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 630 | 778 | Central | 1996 | 331 |
| 847 | 766 | Central | 1996 | 224 |
| 708 | 748 | Central | 1989 | 464 |
| 224 | 581 | Central | 2002 | 847 |
| 219 | 369 | Eastern and Central | 1948 | none |
| 815 | 292 | Central | 1947 | 779 |
| 331 | 224 | Central | 2007 | 630 |
| 779 | 128 | Central | 2007 | 815 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
Setting up Callata for a general rental center in Chicago, IL-IN
Callata Office costs $99 per month for up to 5 people, and each additional user is $20 a month. That covers up to 3 local numbers, calling from a browser or your cell, transcribed voicemail, recorded calls with AI summaries, after-hours routing and E911 on each number.
Porting a number you already use in Chicago, IL-IN is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many general rental centers are there in Chicago, IL-IN?
Census County Business Patterns counted 67 general rental centers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area in 2023. They employed 483 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 7-person general rental center?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 7 users cost $210.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $174.65 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $139.00.
What area code should a general rental center in Chicago, IL-IN use?
Area code 630 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 847 and 708. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a general rental center?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.