RentDataNowRentDataNow
City Report · IL

Kankakee

Pop. 23,996·125th most expensive in Illinois·Kankakee rents are up 8.0% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,160/mo
Year-over-Year
+8.0%
Month-over-Month
+1.2%
vs US Median
-$805
Rising (Monthly)
Be the first to discuss Kankakee rents ↓
Most AffordableMost Expensive
Kankakee · $1,160
More affordable than 94% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Affordability
29% of income
AFFORDABLE
0%30% benchmark60%+

At $1,160/mo, rent takes about 29% of the local median household income, comfortably within the 30% benchmark.

Income to afford
$46,000/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
Research median
$1,140/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$13,920/yr
At $1,160/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 8.0% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+8.0% YoY, +1.2% MoM), not inventory.
Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

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

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

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

Can you afford rent in Kankakee on your salary?

At $1,160/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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Kankakee is $1,160/mo as of July 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 29% of local median household income ($47,514/yr), Kankakee ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Kankakee an affordable city for renters?

Kankakee is considered affordable for renters. At $1,160/mo, rent takes approximately 29% of the local median household income ($47,514/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Kankakee falls comfortably within that range.

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 $46,000/year (~$22/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,160/mo in Kankakee. The local median household income is $47,514/yr, meaning the typical Kankakee household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Kankakee?

Rent in Kankakee has increased 8.0% over the past year as of July 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 #125 out of 142 tracked cities at $1,160/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 $1,160/mo is $805 (41%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Illinois, it ranks #125 out of 142 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
29%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,160/mo, rent takes ~29% of Kankakee's median household income ($47,514/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Kankakee 29%Benchmark 30%
State income tax4.95%
Run the Kankakee affordability calculator →
Lowest-rent ZIP codes in Kankakee
Compare

How does this area stack up?

Pick another city or ZIP to compare.

Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Kankakee, IL

Recent submissions

Be the first to submit your rent for Kankakee.

Recent discussions

No discussions yet.