Hillside, IL vs Kankakee, IL

The cost of living difference between Hillside, IL and Kankakee, IL is dramatic. Kankakee is 31.7% cheaper than Hillside, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Hillside has a cost index of 93 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 Hillside is $1,265/month compared to $986/month in Kankakee — a 28% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Kankakee is more affordable at $105,500 median vs $233,800.

Median household income in Hillside is $70,772 compared to $45,119 in Kankakee (+56.9%). While Hillside is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Hillside spend roughly 21.4% of their income on rent, less than the 26.2% in Kankakee.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (51.3°F vs 52.1°F). Hillside receives more rainfall at 37.9" per year compared to 34.4" in Kankakee.