City Comparison
Evanston vs Joliet
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Joliet scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Evanston
Joliet
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Joliet is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
34% lower than in Evanston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Evanston's average rent is
79% higher than Joliet's.
| Metric | Evanston | Joliet | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,591 | $1,450 | +79% |
| Groceries | $450 | $380 | +18% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $240 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $3,591 | $2,375 | +51% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Evanston 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 Evanston is estimated at
$65,000 vs $52,000 in Joliet.
| Metric | Evanston | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $68,500 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,934 idx | 74,457 idx |
| Household Income | $96,434 | $81,200 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Evanston sees 1.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Evanston | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.90°F | 51.80°F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | 82.60°F |
| Winter Low | 18.50°F | 17.70°F |
| Rainfall | 31.20 in | 36.10 in |
| Snowfall | 28.00 in | 26.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 254 | 251 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Evanston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Evanston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Evanston | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Joliet is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Evanston.
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 | Evanston | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,340 | 150,362 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Evanston
Advantages
Median household income stands at a robust $96,434, significantly higher than the Illinois state average.
Over 72% of Evanston residents hold at least a bachelor's degree, fostering an intellectually vibrant community.
Direct multi-modal transit access via the CTA Purple Line and Metra provides fast commutes into downtown Chicago.
Features five public sandy beaches and 268 acres of parkland along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Recognized as a leading Midwestern startup hub and 'hidden gem' for entrepreneurial ventures.
Drawbacks
The cost of living and median property values are substantially higher than the national average.
Property taxes in Cook County are notoriously high, placing a heavy tax burden on homeowners.
Rental housing is competitive and expensive, heavily driven by the presence of Northwestern University students.
Winter weather brings heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures common to the greater Chicago region.
Street parking can be scarce and strictly regulated, especially in commercial zones and near campus areas.
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.
Evanston
#456Illinois, USA
55.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,591
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
78.0/100
Walkability
82.0/100
Sunny Days
254/yr
Avg Temp
50.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
84
Business
76
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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