Clarksville vs Joliet
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Clarksville
Joliet
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 6.3%, with Clarksville being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Clarksville has equivalent purchasing power to $80,056 in Joliet.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Clarksville has the same purchasing power as $80,056 in Joliet.
Conversely, $75,000 in Joliet equals $70,263 in Clarksville.
Living in Clarksville vs Joliet
Housing Costs
Clarksville's housing index of 91 is higher Joliet's 85, translating to median home prices of $304,000 vs $275,000. The $29,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,884 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Clarksville compared to $1,325/mo in Joliet, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Clarksville and 101 in Joliet. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Clarksville 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 103 in Clarksville and 94 in Joliet. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Clarksville vs $376 in Joliet. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 93 in Clarksville and 102 in Joliet. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $63,700 in Clarksville and $88,000 in Joliet. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,573 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 $1,486/month to housing in Clarksville vs $2,053/month in Joliet. In Clarksville, 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 Transportation, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases