Kankakee, IL vs Grand Rapids, MI: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Grand Rapids, MI and Kankakee, IL are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Kankakee works out to about $74,300 in Grand Rapids, before taxes.
- Housing is 6.7% lower in Grand Rapids, goods 0.1% higher and other services 0.0% lower, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,614 a month in Grand Rapids and $1,327 in Kankakee, $3,444 a year more in Grand Rapids (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $356,000 in Grand Rapids and $227,000 in Kankakee.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (1.4%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Kankakee and Grand Rapids
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Kankakee, IL
- Grand Rapids, MI
All items Kankakee, IL: 96.4 Grand Rapids, MI: 95.5
Goods Kankakee, IL: 93.6 Grand Rapids, MI: 93.7
Housing (rents) Kankakee, IL: 92.9 Grand Rapids, MI: 86.6
Utilities Kankakee, IL: 89.4 Grand Rapids, MI: 93.8
Other services Kankakee, IL: 99.6 Grand Rapids, MI: 99.6
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Kankakee, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 96.4 | 95.5 |
| Goods | 93.6 | 93.7 |
| Housing (rents) | 92.9 | 86.6 |
| Utilities | 89.4 | 93.8 |
| Other services | 99.6 | 99.6 |
| Category | Kankakee | Grand Rapids | Grand Rapids vs Kankakee |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 96.4 | 95.5 | −0.9% |
| Goods | 93.6 | 93.7 | +0.1% |
| Housing (rents) | 92.9 | 86.6 | −6.7% |
| Utilities | 89.4 | 93.8 | +4.9% |
| Other services | 99.6 | 99.6 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,327 | $1,614 | +21.6% |
| Typical home value | $227,000 | $356,000 | +56.6% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Kankakee | $75,000 | $74,300 | −0.9% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Kankakee and Grand Rapids has narrowed since 2008: 3.9 points then, 0.8 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Kankakee, IL
- Grand Rapids, MI
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Kankakee, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.5 | 95.6 |
| 2009 | 98.3 | 95.6 |
| 2010 | 99.3 | 95.2 |
| 2011 | 100.0 | 94.2 |
| 2012 | 99.2 | 94.7 |
| 2013 | 98.5 | 95.6 |
| 2014 | 97.7 | 95.1 |
| 2015 | 96.5 | 93.4 |
| 2016 | 97.6 | 94.2 |
| 2017 | 98.3 | 92.2 |
| 2018 | 93.6 | 94.1 |
| 2019 | 94.4 | 95.7 |
| 2020 | 90.6 | 94.3 |
| 2021 | 92.0 | 96.2 |
| 2022 | 92.1 | 94.1 |
| 2023 | 92.4 | 95.0 |
| 2024 | 96.4 | 95.5 |
Goods
- Kankakee, IL
- Grand Rapids, MI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Kankakee, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 104.7 | 94.9 |
| 2009 | 106.4 | 95.3 |
| 2010 | 104.9 | 96.0 |
| 2011 | 105.9 | 95.7 |
| 2012 | 103.3 | 96.9 |
| 2013 | 101.6 | 96.7 |
| 2014 | 101.7 | 98.0 |
| 2015 | 99.2 | 97.5 |
| 2016 | 99.0 | 96.5 |
| 2017 | 102.2 | 94.8 |
| 2018 | 97.6 | 97.1 |
| 2019 | 96.5 | 95.9 |
| 2020 | 94.1 | 93.7 |
| 2021 | 94.7 | 94.4 |
| 2022 | 90.8 | 92.1 |
| 2023 | 93.1 | 94.1 |
| 2024 | 93.6 | 93.7 |
Housing (rents)
- Kankakee, IL
- Grand Rapids, MI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Kankakee, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 84.1 | 87.6 |
| 2009 | 75.6 | 86.1 |
| 2010 | 81.2 | 83.6 |
| 2011 | 79.9 | 84.0 |
| 2012 | 84.1 | 82.8 |
| 2013 | 85.2 | 87.1 |
| 2014 | 85.3 | 86.1 |
| 2015 | 81.5 | 82.3 |
| 2016 | 81.7 | 85.5 |
| 2017 | 76.7 | 78.9 |
| 2018 | 78.7 | 79.7 |
| 2019 | 80.8 | 86.0 |
| 2020 | 69.4 | 85.0 |
| 2021 | 71.5 | 94.4 |
| 2022 | 76.6 | 85.8 |
| 2023 | 74.1 | 88.8 |
| 2024 | 92.9 | 86.6 |
Utilities
- Kankakee, IL
- Grand Rapids, MI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Kankakee, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.1 | 93.2 |
| 2009 | 92.2 | 100.7 |
| 2010 | 90.0 | 102.0 |
| 2011 | 91.1 | 102.3 |
| 2012 | 87.3 | 103.1 |
| 2013 | 80.3 | 101.0 |
| 2014 | 90.2 | 92.8 |
| 2015 | 92.9 | 92.2 |
| 2016 | 93.5 | 91.5 |
| 2017 | 93.9 | 93.8 |
| 2018 | 92.8 | 98.4 |
| 2019 | 88.4 | 95.0 |
| 2020 | 89.2 | 98.5 |
| 2021 | 92.0 | 99.6 |
| 2022 | 92.9 | 93.5 |
| 2023 | 85.8 | 92.7 |
| 2024 | 89.4 | 93.8 |
Other services
- Kankakee, IL
- Grand Rapids, MI
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Kankakee, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 102.0 | 99.2 |
| 2009 | 103.4 | 98.9 |
| 2010 | 103.1 | 98.5 |
| 2011 | 104.4 | 96.2 |
| 2012 | 103.4 | 96.7 |
| 2013 | 102.6 | 97.3 |
| 2014 | 100.2 | 96.2 |
| 2015 | 100.4 | 94.4 |
| 2016 | 102.8 | 95.5 |
| 2017 | 104.0 | 94.5 |
| 2018 | 96.5 | 96.5 |
| 2019 | 98.5 | 98.6 |
| 2020 | 97.8 | 97.8 |
| 2021 | 98.0 | 97.9 |
| 2022 | 98.2 | 98.2 |
| 2023 | 98.1 | 97.7 |
| 2024 | 99.6 | 99.6 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,614 in Grand Rapids vs $1,327 in Kankakee
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Kankakee, IL
- Grand Rapids, MI
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Kankakee, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | $809 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | $853 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | $866 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | $859 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | $879 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | $928 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | – | $930 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | – | $928 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | – | $951 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | – | $994 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | – | $984 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | – | $976 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | – | $999 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | – | $1,032 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | – | $1,036 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | – | $1,036 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | – | $1,049 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | – | $1,082 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | – | $1,083 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | – | $1,079 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | – | $1,100 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | – | $1,120 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | – | $1,127 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | – | $1,143 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $928 | $1,164 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $961 | $1,217 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $962 | $1,274 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $945 | $1,266 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,000 | $1,298 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,034 | $1,357 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,046 | $1,389 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,069 | $1,361 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,064 | $1,381 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,096 | $1,430 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,108 | $1,439 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,141 | $1,435 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,137 | $1,459 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,181 | $1,486 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,171 | $1,500 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,214 | $1,491 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,218 | $1,506 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,237 | $1,549 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,255 | $1,548 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,255 | $1,548 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,261 | $1,567 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,281 | $1,593 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,327 | $1,614 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $356,000 in Grand Rapids vs $227,000 in Kankakee
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Kankakee, IL
- Grand Rapids, MI
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Kankakee, IL | Grand Rapids, MI | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $127K | $153K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $129K | $157K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $129K | $159K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $129K | $163K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $130K | $167K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $131K | $171K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $130K | $174K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $130K | $178K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $133K | $183K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $134K | $188K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $133K | $191K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $136K | $193K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $138K | $197K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $140K | $202K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $140K | $205K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $141K | $207K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $146K | $210K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $148K | $214K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $148K | $216K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $150K | $219K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $152K | $223K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $153K | $227K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $156K | $232K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $163K | $242K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $169K | $253K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $172K | $268K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $173K | $274K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $175K | $278K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $183K | $293K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $189K | $307K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $187K | $304K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $187K | $302K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $190K | $303K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $192K | $309K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $197K | $313K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $200K | $316K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $202K | $320K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $206K | $326K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $207K | $327K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $211K | $331K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $214K | $335K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $212K | $336K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $214K | $339K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $220K | $346K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $226K | $351K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $226K | $352K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $227K | $356K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Kankakee, IL
- Cost of living in Grand Rapids, MI
- Reverse: moving from Grand Rapids to Kankakee
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.