City Comparison
Joliet vs Skokie
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Joliet scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Joliet
Skokie
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Joliet is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Skokie.
Housing costs are a major driver: Joliet's average rent is
17% lower than Skokie's.
| Metric | Joliet | Skokie | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,750 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,375 | $2,685 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Skokie 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 Skokie.
| Metric | Joliet | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,500 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,457 idx | 66,102 idx |
| Household Income | $81,200 | $85,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.59999999999999°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Skokie sees 1.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Joliet | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.80°F | 51.20°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 82.30°F |
| Winter Low | 17.70°F | 18.10°F |
| Rainfall | 36.10 in | 33.50 in |
| Snowfall | 26.30 in | 28.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | 249 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Skokie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Skokie leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Joliet | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 65.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Joliet is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Skokie.
From a growth perspective, Joliet is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Skokie has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Joliet | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 150,362 | 67,824 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 41.5 |
| 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.
Skokie
Advantages
Direct access to Chicago via the CTA Yellow Line rapid transit system
Home to the Illinois Science + Technology Park, driving local biotech jobs
Award-winning Skokie Park District managing numerous parks and facilities
Exceptional ethnic diversity reflected in local dining, culture, and community events
Proximity to major medical centers including Endeavor Health Skokie Hospital
Drawbacks
Higher-than-average property taxes typical of suburban Cook County
Competitive real estate market with rising purchase prices
Heavy commuter traffic along major arterial roads during peak hours
Cold and snowy winter climate requiring regular snow removal
Cost of living index noticeably above the national average
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
Skokie
#386Illinois, USA
59.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
51.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
82
Business
75
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