2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Kankakee, IL vs Champaign, IL

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Highlights
Are people in Champaign older or younger than people in Kankakee?
- The Median Age in Champaign is 9.0 years younger than in Kankakee.

Are housing costs cheaper in Champaign or Kankakee?
- Champaign housing costs are 62.3% more expensive than Kankakee housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Champaign or Kankakee?
- The average commute for residents of Champaign is 5.6 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Kankakee.

Things to do in Kankakee?
Kankakee, Illinois is a vibrant city located in Kankakee County and renowned for its diverse culture, friendly atmosphere, and small-town charm. It offers plenty of activities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy, from visiting the Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail to exploring Kankakee River State Park. Visitors can also explore local attractions such as the Kankakee County Museum or shop at nearby malls such as Northfield Square Mall. With easy access to Chicago and other major cities like Gary and Elgin, Kankakee makes an ideal destination for visitors seeking an unforgettable experience close to urban amenities.

Things to do in Champaign?
Champaign, Illinois is a thriving university town located approximately two hours south of Chicago. It has plenty of recreational facilities ranging from libraries to state parks offering access to Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve or Homer Lake.

 Kankakee, ILChampaign, ILUnited States
 Population  Unlock88,343329,725,481
 Median Income$38,869  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock26.938.4
 Avg. Home Price$117,300  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.9%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time21.31  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Kankakee    5 Reviews

Kankakee was always a blue-collar city. My father had a business, and now I carry it on. That's the only reason I live in Kankakee anymore. Forty years ago, the  More

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Honestly, quite depressing. The people are rude, the place is very unkept - not sure if they have a City Planner or if they really understand the concept. Even the  More

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Moved here from AR 19 months ago. This is the most depressing area I've ever been to and I have been in almost all 50 States - big City and small (this includes all  More

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Reviews for Champaign    13 Reviews

Over 6 years ago

Pros - close to Chicago, has Parkland community college and lots of places to eat. There is a train station downtown that is really good. Beautiful deciduous trees and  More

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Over 8 years ago

I wonderful city with great  More

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Actually it's barely a nice place to live. The pros: Not terribly expensive - at one point the least expensive place to live in the country among modest sized  More

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