City Comparison
Joliet vs Dallas
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Joliet scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Joliet
Dallas
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Joliet is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Dallas.
| Metric | Joliet | Dallas | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,412 | +3% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $175 | $281 | -38% |
| Transport | $130 | $126 | +3% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $135 | +78% |
| Monthly Total | $2,375 | $2,404 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Joliet offers 12% 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 Joliet is estimated at
$52,000 vs $96,970 in Dallas.
| Metric | Joliet | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,500 | $60,900 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $96,970 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,457 idx | 60,297 idx |
| Household Income | $81,200 | $70,518 |
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 | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dallas has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Joliet.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Joliet | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 41.00 |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Joliet.
From a growth perspective, Joliet is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dallas has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Joliet | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 150,362 | 1,336,440 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.52% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 33.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.30% |
| 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.
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime in Dallas dropped by 12% in 2025, indicating an improving safety landscape.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is a leader in economic growth, ranking highly for job creation and business investment.
Dallas is recognized as a top city for dining out, offering affordable options for mid-range meals.
Texas has no state income tax, which can lead to higher take-home pay for residents.
The city boasts a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, ranking 27th globally for startups in 2026.
Drawbacks
Property crime remains a significant challenge in Dallas, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
Utility costs in Dallas are higher than the national average, primarily due to electricity expenses.
Dallas experiences notable traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in traffic.
Despite overall metro growth, the city of Dallas experienced a slight population decline in 2025.
While public transit exists, high car dependency is a reality for navigating the sprawling Dallas-Fort Worth area.
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
Dallas
#525Texas, USA
50.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,412
Avg Salary
$60,900
Cost Index
101
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
80
Business
88
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Joliet and Dallas.
Open Cost Calculator