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City Report · IL

Kankakee

Pop. 23,996·118th most expensive in Illinois·Kankakee rents are up 14.3% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,249/mo
Year-over-Year
+14.3%
Month-over-Month
+7.7%
vs US Median
-$713
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Kankakee · $1,249
More affordable than 91% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Affordability
32% of income
MODERATE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,249/mo, rent takes about 32% of the local median household income, slightly above the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$50,000/yr
Local median income
$47,514/yr
Based on the 30%-of-income rule using Kankakee's median rent and household income. See the full affordability breakdown →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$780
1 BR
$870
2 BR
$1,140
3 BR
$1,510
4 BR+
$1,510
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$1,140/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,249 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$14,988/yr
At $1,249/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 14.3% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+14.3% YoY, +7.7% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Kankakee, IL is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large share of families with children, has a median income below the national average, 13% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
23,996
Median income
$47,514
Median age
36.1
Renters
49.2%
Age distribution
25.1%
23.6%
25.4%
14.3%
Under 1825.1%
18–3423.6%
35–5425.4%
55–6411.6%
65+14.3%
Gender
51%
49%
Male51%
Female49%
Race & ethnicity
43.8%
40%
24.5%
White43.8%
Black40%
Hispanic24.5%
Asian0.9%
Education (25+)
17.9%
36.3%
32.7%
13%
No HS diploma17.9%
HS diploma36.3%
Some college32.7%
Bachelor's+13%
Housing tenure
50.8%
49.2%
Owner50.8%
Renter49.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Kankakee, IL has changed in 5 years

Income
$38,869 → $47,514
up 22.2%
Population
24,903 → 23,996
down 3.6%
Renter share
51.2% → 49.2%
-2.0 pts
Bachelor's+
13.4% → 13%
-0.4 pts

Household income in the area moved from $38,869 to $47,514 across the same window, up 22.2% versus 2021. Census counts show Kankakee, IL losing about 907 residents over the five-year window, down 3.6% on net. The renter share has eased from 51.2% to 49.2%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder.

Community

Discussions about Kankakee

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View Kankakee rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Kankakee on your salary?

At $1,249/mo, how Kankakee rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Kankakee rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Kankakee. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Kankakee

About renting in Kankakee, IL

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Kankakee is $1,249/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $780/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,140/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $870/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,510/mo.

At 32% of local median household income ($47,514/yr), Kankakee ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 14.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Kankakee an affordable city for renters?

Kankakee is considered moderate for renters. At $1,249/mo, rent takes approximately 32% of the local median household income ($47,514/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Kankakee slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Kankakee?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $50,000/year (~$24/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,249/mo in Kankakee. The local median household income is $47,514/yr, meaning the typical Kankakee household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Kankakee?

Rent in Kankakee has increased 14.3% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does Kankakee rent compare to other cities in Illinois?

Kankakee is one of the more affordable cities in Illinois for rent, ranking #118 out of 142 tracked cities at $1,249/mo.

What percentage of Kankakee residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 49.2% of Kankakee households are renters, while 50.8% are owner-occupied. Kankakee leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Kankakee rent compare to the national average?

Kankakee's median rent of $1,249/mo is $713 (36%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #118 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
32%
MODERATE

At $1,249/mo, rent takes ~32% of Kankakee's median household income ($47,514/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Kankakee 32%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Kankakee affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Kankakee, IL

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