City Comparison
Elgin vs Joliet
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Joliet scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elgin
Joliet
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Joliet is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Elgin.
Housing costs are a major driver: Elgin's average rent is
14% higher than Joliet's.
| Metric | Elgin | Joliet | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,450 | +14% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,610 | $2,375 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elgin offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Elgin delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Elgin is estimated at
$58,000 vs $52,000 in Joliet.
| Metric | Elgin | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $68,500 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 74,457 idx |
| Household Income | $84,500 | $81,200 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Elgin sees 0.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elgin | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.50°F | 51.80°F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | 82.60°F |
| Winter Low | 16.40°F | 17.70°F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | 36.10 in |
| Snowfall | 27.00 in | 26.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | 251 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Elgin leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Elgin | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Joliet is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Elgin.
From a growth perspective, Joliet is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Elgin has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Elgin | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,500 | 150,362 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Elgin
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain noticeably more affordable than Chicago proper per Zillow 2025 data.
Direct commuter rail service via the Metra Union Pacific West line connects residents straight to downtown Chicago.
Extensive outdoor recreation opportunities including the scenic Fox River Trail and over 50 municipal parks.
A culturally diverse population supporting a vibrant culinary scene and regular community festivals.
A growing economy anchored by robust healthcare, manufacturing, and education sectors per Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Drawbacks
Illinois property taxes are among the highest in the nation, impacting overall homeowner costs per tax assessors.
Winters are cold and demanding, with the city receiving around 27 inches of annual snowfall per climate records.
Moderate walkability and transit scores outside the immediate downtown core require heavy car dependency.
Traffic congestion during peak hours along the Interstate 90 corridor can lengthen daily commutes.
Pockets of the city experience higher local crime indices, requiring careful neighborhood selection.
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.
Elgin
#242Illinois, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
50.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
Business
70
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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