Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Kankakee, IL
Kankakee's price-to-income ratio is 3.4x — homes cost 3.4 times the local median household income of $62,333. This is very affordable. Homes are well within reach of local workers, which can mean a smaller renter pool but also a healthier, more stable market. Rental demand comes from those who choose to rent rather than those priced out of buying.
A typical mortgage payment on a median-priced home in Kankakee (20% down at 7%) is approximately $1,430/mo for principal and interest alone — add taxes and insurance and the all-in payment reaches roughly $1,871. The median rent of $1,400/mo is roughly comparable to buying costs — in this environment, renters choose flexibility while buyers choose equity building. When renting is cheaper than buying, the renter pool stays deep and vacancy stays low.
The median household income in Kankakee is $62,333, with a population of 50,000 growing at 0.2% per year. Kankakee is a smaller market. Research the local employment base carefully — smaller cities can be significantly impacted by a single employer's decisions.
Kankakee is affordable with moderate returns. Focus on volume — the low entry point lets you scale to multiple properties faster than in more expensive markets.
Kankakee vs Illinois state average and national average across key investment metrics. Kankakee outperforms both benchmarks on cap rate.