City Comparison
Joliet vs Peoria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Peoria scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Joliet
Peoria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Joliet is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Peoria.
Housing costs are a major driver: Joliet's average rent is
20% lower than Peoria's.
| Metric | Joliet | Peoria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,817 | -20% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,375 | $2,737 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Peoria offers 5% 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 $60,000 in Peoria.
| Metric | Joliet | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,500 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,457 idx | 69,903 idx |
| Household Income | $81,200 | $95,815 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Peoria runs warmer on average — a 24.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Peoria comes out ahead with 71 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 | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.80°F | 76.40°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 105.20°F |
| Winter Low | 17.70°F | 49.40°F |
| Rainfall | 36.10 in | 14.20 in |
| Snowfall | 26.30 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | 322 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 30.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Peoria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Joliet.
| Metric | Joliet | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Peoria is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Joliet.
From a growth perspective, Peoria 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 | Joliet | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 150,362 | 200,881 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.84% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 41.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.90% |
| 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.
Peoria
Advantages
Named Best City for Business by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 2026.
Home to Amkor Technology's $7 billion advanced semiconductor campus creating thousands of high-wage jobs.
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Arizona with low violent and property crime rates.
Abundant outdoor recreation, including Lake Pleasant and over 26 miles of mountain and multi-use trails.
High median household income ($95,815) and a well-educated workforce with top-tier public schools.
Drawbacks
Intense summer heat with average daily highs exceeding 105°F.
High level of car dependency with limited public mass transit options outside of major roadways.
Housing and rental costs have risen significantly, running moderately higher than the national average.
Historically a commuter suburb where a large share of the workforce still travels outside city limits for work.
Water resource management and desert conservation present ongoing long-term regional challenges.
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
Peoria
#76Arizona, USA
69.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,817
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
322/yr
Avg Temp
76.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
80
Business
85
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Joliet and Peoria.
Open Cost Calculator