Dayton vs Joliet
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Dayton
Joliet
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 15.8%, with Dayton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Dayton has equivalent purchasing power to $89,063 in Joliet.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Dayton has the same purchasing power as $89,063 in Joliet.
Conversely, $75,000 in Joliet equals $63,158 in Dayton.
Living in Dayton vs Joliet
Housing Costs
Dayton's housing index of 46 is lower Joliet's 85, translating to median home prices of $135,000 vs $275,000. The $140,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,096 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $900/mo in Dayton compared to $1,325/mo in Joliet, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Dayton and 101 in Joliet. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Dayton 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 109 in Dayton and 94 in Joliet. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in Dayton vs $376 in Joliet. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 114 in Dayton and 102 in Joliet. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $43,500 in Dayton and $88,000 in Joliet. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 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 $1,015/month to housing in Dayton vs $2,053/month in Joliet. In Dayton, median rent of $900/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 39 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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