Gilberts, IL vs Kankakee, IL

The cost of living difference between Gilberts, IL and Kankakee, IL is dramatic. Kankakee is 68% cheaper than Gilberts, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Gilberts has a cost index of 119 while Kankakee sits at 71, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Gilberts is $1,852/month compared to $986/month in Kankakee — a 88% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Kankakee is more affordable at $105,500 median vs $330,100.

Median household income in Gilberts is $119,719 compared to $45,119 in Kankakee (+165.3%). While Gilberts is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gilberts spend roughly 18.6% of their income on rent, less than the 26.2% in Kankakee.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.7°F vs 52.1°F). Kankakee receives more rainfall at 34.4" per year compared to 33.2" in Gilberts.