City Comparison
Chicago vs Joliet
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Joliet scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Chicago
Joliet
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Joliet is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Chicago.
Housing costs are a major driver: Chicago's average rent is
41% higher than Joliet's.
| Metric | Chicago | Joliet | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,050 | $1,450 | +41% |
| Groceries | $450 | $380 | +18% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $240 | +8% |
| Monthly Total | $3,065 | $2,375 | +29% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Chicago offers 14% higher 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 Chicago is estimated at
$60,000 vs $52,000 in Joliet.
| Metric | Chicago | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $68,500 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,102 idx | 74,457 idx |
| Household Income | $76,223 | $81,200 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Chicago sees 2.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Chicago | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | 51.80°F |
| Summer High | 81.00°F | 82.60°F |
| Winter Low | 19.00°F | 17.70°F |
| Rainfall | 32.80 in | 36.10 in |
| Snowfall | 28.50 in | 26.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | 251 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Chicago scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Chicago leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Chicago | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 75.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 78.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Chicago is the larger city
— approximately 17.7x the population of Joliet.
From a growth perspective, Joliet is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Joliet has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Chicago | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,665,000 | 150,362 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Chicago
Advantages
Extensive and reliable public transit network via the CTA 'L' trains and buses covering the entire city
World-class cultural attractions, including the Art Institute of Chicago and world-renowned dining options
18 miles of continuous public lakefront trail and numerous sandy beaches along Lake Michigan
Significantly more affordable housing compared to coastal tech hubs like New York and San Francisco
Diverse and resilient economy anchored by multiple Fortune 500 headquarters and major financial institutions
Drawbacks
Severe winter weather with freezing temperatures and significant snowfall averaging 28.5 inches annually
High property and sales taxes that contribute to a higher overall cost of living burden
Persistent violent crime challenges concentrated in specific neighborhoods on the south and west sides
Heavy traffic congestion on major expressways during peak morning and evening commuting hours
State pension obligations and local fiscal deficits that put pressure on municipal services and taxation
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.
Chicago
#531Illinois, USA
50.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,050
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
75.0/100
Walkability
78.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
78
Business
74
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Chicago and Joliet.
Open Cost Calculator