Allentown vs Joliet
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Allentown
Joliet
The Verdict
Living in Joliet costs 3.2% less than Allentown. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $72,704 in Joliet.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $72,704 in Joliet.
Conversely, $75,000 in Joliet equals $77,368 in Allentown.
Living in Allentown vs Joliet
Housing Costs
Allentown's housing index of 109 is higher Joliet's 85, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $275,000. The $43,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,796 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $1,325/mo in Joliet, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 101 in Joliet. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $480/month in Joliet. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Allentown and 94 in Joliet. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $376 in Joliet. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 102 in Joliet. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,500 in Allentown and $88,000 in Joliet. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $92,632 respectively. Joliet residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,295/month to housing in Allentown vs $2,053/month in Joliet. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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