Amarillo vs Joliet
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Amarillo
Joliet
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 22.1%, with Amarillo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Amarillo has equivalent purchasing power to $96,284 in Joliet.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Amarillo has the same purchasing power as $96,284 in Joliet.
Conversely, $75,000 in Joliet equals $58,421 in Amarillo.
Living in Amarillo vs Joliet
Housing Costs
Amarillo's housing index of 59 is lower Joliet's 85, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $275,000. The $80,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,196 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $975/mo in Amarillo compared to $1,325/mo in Joliet, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 92 in Amarillo and 101 in Joliet. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in Amarillo vs $480/month in Joliet. Amarillo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Amarillo and 94 in Joliet. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Amarillo vs $376 in Joliet. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 104 in Amarillo and 102 in Joliet. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $58,500 in Amarillo and $88,000 in Joliet. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $79,054 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 $1,365/month to housing in Amarillo vs $2,053/month in Joliet. In Amarillo, median rent of $975/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 Transportation, where the gap is 33 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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