City Comparison
Joliet vs Schaumburg
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Joliet scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Joliet
Schaumburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Joliet is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Schaumburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Joliet's average rent is
22% lower than Schaumburg's.
| Metric | Joliet | Schaumburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,850 | -22% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,375 | $2,815 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Schaumburg 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 $62,000 in Schaumburg.
| Metric | Joliet | Schaumburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,500 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,457 idx | 69,643 idx |
| Household Income | $81,200 | $91,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Schaumburg sees 0.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Joliet | Schaumburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.80°F | 50.80°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 82.30°F |
| Winter Low | 17.70°F | 17.20°F |
| Rainfall | 36.10 in | 34.40 in |
| Snowfall | 26.30 in | 27.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | 255 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Schaumburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Schaumburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Joliet | Schaumburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Joliet is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Schaumburg.
From a growth perspective, Joliet is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Schaumburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Joliet | Schaumburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 150,362 | 78,723 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 39.5 |
| 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.
Schaumburg
Advantages
Home to Woodfield Mall, one of the largest shopping destinations in the United States, offering extensive retail and dining options.
Consistently low crime rates and proactive local policing make it one of the safest communities in the region.
Exceptional park district maintaining over 70 parks, community centers, and recreational facilities for residents.
Strong corporate employment base with major headquarters located directly within the municipal boundaries.
Convenient access to Interstate 90 provides efficient commuting routes to downtown Chicago and O'Hare International Airport.
Drawbacks
Cook County property taxes are among the highest in the nation, putting a heavy financial burden on homeowners.
High level of car dependency outside of core commercial zones, leading to heavy traffic congestion around major retail hubs.
Overall cost of living sits noticeably above the national average, driven primarily by housing and local tax structures.
Winters can be harsh and prolonged, bringing heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures that limit outdoor activities.
Lack of a rapid transit rail station directly within the village center requires reliance on buses or driving to reach Metra stations.
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
Schaumburg
#237Illinois, USA
62.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
82
Business
81
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