Average Rent in Kankakee, IL↑ Rents rising 7.5% YoY🔺 5th priciest in IL

Kankakee, IL has rental prices ranging from $858/month to $1,661/month in 2025, depending on unit size. The typical 1-bedroom apartment rents for $954/month — 32% below the national average of $1,400/month. With a median household income of $68,325/year, spending $954/month on a 1-bedroom represents 17% of gross income — within the recommended 30% threshold.

How Kankakee Compares

With an average 2-bedroom rent of $1,251/month, Kankakee ranks #5 most expensive of the 87 cities tracked in Illinois — pricier than 84% of all US cities in our data.

The Kankakee Rental Market

The Kankakee, IL area has a population of about 106,833 and 31% of households renting rather than owning. That is close to the US average renter share of ~34%.

Rent Trends

2-bedroom rents in Kankakee, IL have risen by $87/month (7.5%) over the past year, from $1,164 to $1,251. This modest growth is consistent with broader inflationary trends seen across US rental markets.

Affordability

To afford a 1-bedroom apartment in Kankakee, IL without exceeding the 30% housing cost guideline, a renter needs an annual income of approximately $38,160. The local median household income of $68,325 exceeds that threshold by $30,165, making Kankakee relatively accessible compared to local wages.

Rent vs. Buy

The median home value in Kankakee, IL is $155,681, giving a price-to-rent ratio of 10.4. The break-even point between renting and buying is roughly 10 years — renting offers more flexibility for shorter stays, while buying makes more sense for long-term residents.

Is Kankakee, IL Affordable?

Income needed to rent or buy, price history, and how this city compares to nearby metros.

Rent or Buy in Kankakee?

Break-even analysis and mortgage estimates based on local market data.

Living in Kankakee

Cost of living, job market, crime rates, and moving cost estimates.