City Comparison
Joliet vs Orland Park
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Orland Park scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Joliet
Orland Park
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Joliet is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Orland Park.
Housing costs are a major driver: Joliet's average rent is
26% lower than Orland Park's.
| Metric | Joliet | Orland Park | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,950 | -26% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $185 | -5% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,375 | $2,925 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Orland Park offers 12% lower 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 $65,000 in Orland Park.
| Metric | Joliet | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,500 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,457 idx | 69,643 idx |
| Household Income | $81,200 | $105,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Orland Park sees 3.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Joliet | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.80°F | 51.50°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 82.40°F |
| Winter Low | 17.70°F | 18.20°F |
| Rainfall | 36.10 in | 37.30 in |
| Snowfall | 26.30 in | 29.60 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | 245 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Joliet has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Orland Park.
Orland Park scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Joliet | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 34 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Joliet is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x the population of Orland Park.
From a growth perspective, Joliet is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Orland Park has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Joliet | Orland Park |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 150,362 | 58,805 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 43.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.00% |
| 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.
Orland Park
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest communities in Illinois with low violent and property crime rates per US Census and FBI data.
Exceptional public school districts serving the area, attracting families seeking top-tier educational opportunities.
Abundant park district amenities, including over 60 parks, sports complexes, and the popular Centennial Park.
Robust retail and dining ecosystem anchored by Orland Square Mall and major commercial corridors.
Convenient commuter rail access to downtown Chicago via multiple Metra SouthWest Service stations.
Drawbacks
Property taxes in Cook County are comparatively high, impacting overall homeownership costs.
High reliance on automobile transportation, leading to traffic congestion along major thoroughfares during peak hours.
Higher-than-average cost of living and housing prices compared to the broader U.S. national average.
Limited high-density urban nightlife or cultural entertainment within the immediate municipal boundaries.
Cold, snowy winter weather conditions typical of the upper Midwest climate.
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
Orland Park
#135Illinois, USA
65.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
51.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
85
Business
76
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