Cost of Living

Based on the after-tax cost for a professional/managerial standard of living, the Cost of Living Index (COLI) is the most reliable source of city-to-city comparisons of key consumer costs available. Kankakee County has historically scored below the national average in the COLI index.

The 2025 annual cost of living index for Quarter 3 indicated that the Kankakee Metropolitan Statistical Area (Kankakee County) registered a composite index of 88.4%, with the average rental, home, utilities, grocery and transportation costs less than the national average.

The COLI survey is administered by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER).