City Comparison

Chandler vs Joliet

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Chandler

Arizona
110
Above Average
$450,000
Median Home
$1,650/mo
Median Rent
$88,234
Median Income

Joliet

Illinois
95
Below Average
$275,000
Median Home
$1,325/mo
Median Rent
$88,000
Median Income

The Verdict

15.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.8%, with Joliet being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Chandler has equivalent purchasing power to $64,773 in Joliet.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
126
Chandler
85
Joliet
Groceries
100
Chandler
101
Joliet
Utilities
96
Chandler
94
Joliet
Transportation
103
Chandler
108
Joliet
Healthcare
95
Chandler
102
Joliet

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Chandler has the same purchasing power as $64,773 in Joliet.

Conversely, $75,000 in Joliet equals $86,842 in Chandler.

Living in Chandler vs Joliet

Housing Costs

Chandler's housing index of 126 is higher Joliet's 85, translating to median home prices of $450,000 vs $275,000. The $175,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,376 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,650/mo in Chandler compared to $1,325/mo in Joliet, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Chandler and 101 in Joliet. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Chandler 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 96 in Chandler and 94 in Joliet. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Chandler vs $376 in Joliet. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 95 in Chandler 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 $88,234 in Chandler and $88,000 in Joliet. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $80,213 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 $2,059/month to housing in Chandler vs $2,053/month in Joliet. In Chandler, median rent of $1,650/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 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Joliet is 15.8% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Chandler has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,773 in Joliet, based on the cost of living difference.
Chandler's housing index is 126 with median homes at $450,000, while Joliet's is 85 with median homes at $275,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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