City Comparison
Joliet vs Rockford
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Joliet scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Joliet
Rockford
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rockford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Joliet.
Housing costs are a major driver: Joliet's average rent is
53% higher than Rockford's.
| Metric | Joliet | Rockford | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $950 | +53% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,375 | $1,845 | +29% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Joliet offers 18% 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 $48,000 in Rockford.
| Metric | Joliet | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,500 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,457 idx | 68,235 idx |
| Household Income | $81,200 | $55,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.4°F of each other.
For sunshine, Rockford comes out ahead with 11 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Joliet sees 1.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Joliet | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.80°F | 50.40°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 81.80°F |
| Winter Low | 17.70°F | 15.30°F |
| Rainfall | 36.10 in | 29.10 in |
| Snowfall | 26.30 in | 24.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | 262 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rockford has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Joliet.
Joliet scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Joliet leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Joliet | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Joliet is the larger city
.
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 | Joliet | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 150,362 | 148,655 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 5.20% |
| 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.
Rockford
Advantages
Median home prices in Rockford remain significantly lower than the national average per Redfin data from 2024.
The city boasts extensive recreational amenities, including the world-renowned Anderson Japanese Gardens.
Strategic location along I-90 provides easy access to Chicago, Madison, and Milwaukee.
A thriving arts and cultural scene anchored by the historic Coronado Theatre.
Abundant park space with the Rockford Park District managing over 4,000 acres of land.
Drawbacks
Certain neighborhoods experience higher-than-average crime rates per FBI crime data.
Property tax rates in Winnebago County can be relatively high compared to neighboring states.
Public transit options are more limited outside of core bus routes, increasing car dependency.
Winter weather brings significant snowfall and cold temperatures requiring robust preparation.
Job growth in traditional manufacturing has faced periodic economic fluctuations.
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
Rockford
#446Illinois, USA
55.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
262/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
73
Business
67
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