City Comparison
Champaign vs Joliet
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Joliet scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Champaign
Joliet
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Champaign is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Joliet.
Housing costs are a major driver: Champaign's average rent is
14% lower than Joliet's.
| Metric | Champaign | Joliet | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,450 | -14% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $130 | -15% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,140 | $2,375 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Joliet offers 7% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Joliet delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Champaign is estimated at
$52,000 vs $52,000 in Joliet.
| Metric | Champaign | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $68,500 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,817 idx | 74,457 idx |
| Household Income | $61,200 | $81,200 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Champaign comes out ahead with 14 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Joliet sees 7.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Champaign | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.10°F | 51.80°F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | 82.60°F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | 17.70°F |
| Rainfall | 28.60 in | 36.10 in |
| Snowfall | 18.80 in | 26.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 251 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Champaign has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Joliet.
Champaign scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Champaign leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Champaign | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 36.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Joliet is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Champaign.
From a growth perspective, Champaign is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Champaign has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Champaign | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,302 | 150,362 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 27.5 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Champaign
Advantages
Median home prices remain below the national average per 2024 Zillow data, offering accessible homeownership.
World-class healthcare infrastructure anchored by Carle Foundation Hospital and OSF HealthCare.
An award-winning mass transit system (MTD) providing reliable public transportation across the metro area.
A thriving tech and startup ecosystem fueled by University of Illinois research and talent.
Rich cultural diversity and vibrant arts, dining, and entertainment scenes unusual for a mid-sized city.
Drawbacks
Winter weather brings cold temperatures and significant snowfall, averaging nearly 19 inches annually.
Property taxes in Champaign County are relatively high compared to the national average.
Rental markets near the university experience high turnover and seasonal price spikes.
Car dependency is notable outside of the immediate downtown and campus cores.
Local job market can be heavily tied to institutional cycles and state budget fluctuations.
Joliet
Advantages
Median home prices and rent averages remain significantly more affordable than Chicago and its inner-ring suburbs.
Strategic geographic location at the intersection of I-80 and I-55 drives robust job opportunities in logistics and manufacturing.
Direct Metra commuter rail service on the Rock Island line provides convenient access to downtown Chicago.
Rich cultural and architectural assets, including the historic Rialto Square Theatre and extensive park district facilities.
Strong presence of higher education and healthcare institutions supporting local workforce development and medical access.
Drawbacks
Will County property taxes are among the highest in the nation, impacting overall homeownership costs.
Heavy freight and truck traffic on major regional corridors contributes to roadway wear and localized congestion.
High reliance on automobile transportation with limited public transit coverage outside of core commuter routes.
Crime rates vary significantly by neighborhood, with certain central areas experiencing elevated property and violent crime.
Air quality and environmental concerns occasionally arise due to heavy industrial activity and massive distribution warehouse operations.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Champaign
#324Illinois, USA
60.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
54.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
76
Business
72
Joliet
#215Illinois, USA
63.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,500
Cost Index
92
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
51.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
72
Business
75
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