Denton vs Joliet
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denton
Joliet
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 13.7%, with Joliet being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to $65,972 in Joliet.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $65,972 in Joliet.
Conversely, $75,000 in Joliet equals $85,263 in Denton.
Living in Denton vs Joliet
Housing Costs
Denton's housing index of 126 is higher Joliet's 85, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $275,000. The $110,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,152 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,325/mo in Joliet, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 101 in Joliet. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton 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 90 in Denton and 94 in Joliet. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $376 in Joliet. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 102 in Joliet. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,700 in Denton and $88,000 in Joliet. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 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 $1,720/month to housing in Denton vs $2,053/month in Joliet. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/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
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases