City Comparison
Joliet vs Waukegan
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Joliet scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Joliet
Waukegan
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Waukegan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Joliet.
| Metric | Joliet | Waukegan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,424 | +2% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $90 | +44% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,375 | $2,324 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Joliet offers 26% 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 $50,000 in Waukegan.
| Metric | Joliet | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,500 | $54,394 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,457 idx | 59,124 idx |
| Household Income | $81,200 | $71,919 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Waukegan sees 1.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Joliet | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.80°F | 49.80°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 79.70°F |
| Winter Low | 17.70°F | 17.50°F |
| Rainfall | 36.10 in | 31.60 in |
| Snowfall | 26.30 in | 28.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | 258 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Waukegan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Joliet.
Waukegan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Waukegan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Joliet | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Joliet is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Waukegan.
From a growth perspective, Joliet is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Joliet | Waukegan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 150,362 | 87,940 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.5 |
| 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.
Waukegan
Advantages
Median home values remain significantly lower than the broader Chicago metropolitan average per Zillow data.
Direct Metra rail connectivity provides convenient commuter access to downtown Chicago.
Extensive lakefront property, marina facilities, and natural dunes provide unique recreational opportunities.
Thriving local manufacturing and industrial base acts as a strong regional employment anchor.
Rich cultural arts scene anchored by historical venues like the Genesee Theatre.
Drawbacks
Overall property tax rates in Lake County can place a heavy burden on homeowners.
Certain areas experience higher-than-average crime rates relative to surrounding suburban pockets.
Local median household incomes trail behind wealthier neighboring municipalities in Lake County.
Poverty rates remain somewhat higher than the national average.
Varying industrial legacy sites require ongoing environmental remediation efforts.
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
Waukegan
#253Illinois, USA
62.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,424
Avg Salary
$54,394
Cost Index
92
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
258/yr
Avg Temp
49.80°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
72
Business
70
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