City Comparison
Joliet vs Bloomington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bloomington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Joliet
Bloomington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Joliet is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Bloomington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Joliet's average rent is
32% higher than Bloomington's.
| Metric | Joliet | Bloomington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,100 | +32% |
| Groceries | $380 | $685 | -45% |
| Utilities | $175 | $391 | -55% |
| Transport | $130 | $300 | -57% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $120 | +100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,375 | $2,596 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bloomington offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bloomington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Joliet is estimated at
$52,000 vs $44,700 in Bloomington.
| Metric | Joliet | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,500 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $44,700 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,457 idx | 85,393 idx |
| Household Income | $81,200 | $77,384 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Joliet runs warmer on average — a 51.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Joliet comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Joliet sees 26.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Joliet | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 36.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 26.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bloomington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Joliet.
Bloomington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bloomington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Joliet | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Joliet is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Bloomington.
From a growth perspective, Joliet is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Joliet | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 150,362 | 79,268 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.20% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 36.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Bloomington
Advantages
The cost of living in Bloomington is 11% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Bloomington boasts a strong job market with a 2.83% job growth rate from 2023 to 2024, particularly in Finance & Insurance and Healthcare.
The average commute time is 17 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average, leading to less time spent in traffic.
The median household income of $77,384 in 2024 is competitive, supporting a comfortable lifestyle.
The city offers a balanced quality of life with access to good hospitals, schools, and recreational activities.
Drawbacks
Utilities costs in Bloomington are 5.7% higher than the national average, potentially impacting monthly budgets.
Healthcare costs are 6.2% higher than the national average, which could be a consideration for residents.
Public transportation options are available, but the city exhibits high car dependency, with 75% of residents using personal vehicles for commuting.
While generally safe, the city has an average crime rate, suggesting areas where vigilance may be necessary.
The median rent of $1,100 per month, while affordable compared to national averages, can still be a significant expense for some households.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Bloomington
#117Illinois, USA
66.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
70
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