Decatur, IL vs Kankakee, IL

Decatur is moderately more affordable than Kankakee, with a 11.9% lower cost of living index. Decatur scores 62 compared to 71 for Kankakee, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Kankakee can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Decatur is $796/month compared to $986/month in Kankakee — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Decatur is more affordable at $97,300 median vs $105,500.

Median household income in Decatur is $50,809 compared to $45,119 in Kankakee (+12.6%). Decatur offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Decatur spend roughly 18.8% of their income on rent, less than the 26.2% in Kankakee.