Kankakee, IL vs Lake Villa, IL

The cost of living difference between Kankakee, IL and Lake Villa, IL is dramatic. Kankakee is 33.1% cheaper than Lake Villa, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Kankakee has a cost index of 71 while Lake Villa sits at 106, 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 Kankakee is $986/month compared to $1,430/month in Lake Villa — a 31% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Kankakee is more affordable at $105,500 median vs $325,900.

Median household income in Kankakee is $45,119 compared to $111,110 in Lake Villa (-59.4%). While Lake Villa is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Kankakee spend roughly 26.2% of their income on rent, more than the 15.4% in Lake Villa.

Climate-wise, Kankakee is notably warmer with an average of 52.1°F compared to 48.3°F in Lake Villa. Lake Villa receives more rainfall at 35.3" per year compared to 34.4" in Kankakee.