Illinois · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Kankakee County, IL

The median household in Kankakee County, IL earns $71,281 a year ($5,940/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,326/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $53,040 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 3.6% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$71,281$5,940 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,326HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)96.4-3.6% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate19.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential IL
Census Population106,635Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Kankakee County, IL

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,326Monthly market rent
Share of gross income22.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$53,040To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,782At 30% of $71,281
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Kankakee County, IL

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Kankakee, IL MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Kankakee County, IL
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$914$10,968$36,56015.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,011$12,132$40,44017%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,326$15,912$53,04022.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,745$20,940$69,80029.4%
4-Bedroom Home$1,774$21,288$70,96029.9%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Kankakee County, IL →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Kankakee County, IL

Based on the local median household income of $71,281/year ($5,940/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,970/moRent ($1,326 2-BR), utilities (~$179/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,782/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 96.4 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$1,188/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Illinois

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Illinois state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$71,281
$25,000$145,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$71,281
Net 78%
Fed 10%
IL 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$55,593After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,633Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,138Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate22%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$6,852 / yr
Illinois state income tax$3,384 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$5,453 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Illinois with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Kankakee County, IL

What is the median household income in Kankakee County, IL?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Kankakee County, IL is $71,281 per year (approximately $5,940 per month).

What is the average rent in Kankakee County, IL?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Kankakee County, IL are $914 for a studio, $1,011 for 1 bedroom, $1,326 for 2 bedrooms, $1,745 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,774 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Kankakee County, IL compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Kankakee County, IL is 96.4 (3.6% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Kankakee County, IL?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,326/month) in Kankakee County, IL requires a minimum gross household income of $53,040 per year ($4,420 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Kankakee County, IL?

For a typical household earning the median income of $71,281/year ($5,940/month) in Kankakee County, IL, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,970/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,782/month to discretionary spending, and $1,188/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Kankakee County, IL?

Residential electricity rates in Illinois average 19.9¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $179 per month.