salaryRent is lower than in 77% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $47,160 a year. That is $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Illinois cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Illinois. It is number 85 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Kankakee?
Share of households by yearly income. 12.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Kankakee
| Size | Kankakee | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $831 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $796 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,125 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,410 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,453 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Kankakee overall?
Everyday prices in the Kankakee metro area are 4% below the U.S. average (index 96.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Kankakee
Life in Kankakee
What jobs pay in Kankakee
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $140,960 | 10.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,320 | 11.0% |
| Software Developer | $116,550 | 12.1% |
| Lawyer | $107,030 | 13.2% |
| Electrician | $105,500 | 13.4% |
| Carpenter | $95,280 | 14.8% |
| Operations Manager | $93,310 | 15.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $86,220 | 16.4% |
| Plumber | $81,620 | 17.3% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $80,190 | 17.6% |
| Police Officer | $78,840 | 17.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,430 | 18.0% |
| Accountant | $71,610 | 19.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $65,910 | 21.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,570 | 22.6% |
| Firefighter | $59,850 | 23.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $57,980 | 24.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $56,110 | 25.2% |
| Truck Driver | $46,750 | 30.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $40,490 | 34.9% |
| Medical Assistant | $38,440 | 36.8% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,900 | 37.3% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,110 | 38.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $35,560 | 39.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $32,650 | 43.3% |
| Cashier | $31,200 | 45.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $31,200 | 45.3% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Kankakee?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $451 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $104,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $10,490 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Kankakee, IL?
Renting in Kankakee costs a median of about $1,179 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in Kankakee?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $47,160 a year, or $23 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Kankakee cheap or expensive?
Kankakee is rated OK: rent takes 27.6% of the typical household income of $51,244. It ranks 85th cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Kankakee?
The median homeowner in Kankakee pays $3,054 a year in property taxes, about 2.91% of the median home value.
Is Kankakee more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Kankakee?
The median home value in Kankakee is $104,900, about 2.0 times the typical yearly household income.
23,996 people live in Kankakee. Numbers are typical (middle) values.