Denver vs Joliet
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Denver
Joliet
💡 The Verdict
Joliet is 19% cheaper than Denver overall. A $75,000 salary in Denver is equivalent to $60,381 in Joliet.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Denver (left) vs Joliet (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Denver versus Joliet. Differences shown from Denver perspective.
| Item | Denver | Joliet | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,420/mo | $820/mo | +$600.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,900/mo | $1,150/mo | +$750.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,410/mo | $1,510/mo | +$900.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $3.06 | $2.52 | +$0.54 |
| Milk (gallon) | $4.03 | $3.98 | +$0.05 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.89 | $3.50 | $-0.61 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.83 | $5.57 | +$0.26 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.29 | $3.35 | $-0.06 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18.25 | $15.79 | +$2.46 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Denver has the same purchasing power as $60,381 in Joliet.
Conversely, $75,000 in Joliet equals $93,158 in Denver.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $375 difference is driven by Illinois having a higher state income tax rate. Colorado details → · Illinois details →
Reading These Numbers: Denver (118) vs Joliet (95)
Denver at 118 is 18% above the US average, while Joliet at 95 is 5% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Denver, the composite index of 118 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 152, followed by groceries (102), utilities (94), transportation (103), and healthcare (104). Housing is the primary cost driver here.
For renters: With median rents of $1,900/mo in Denver and $1,150/mo in Joliet, the annual rent difference is approximately $9,000.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $45,000.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $225,000.0 difference in median home prices between Denver and Joliet translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Denver vs Joliet
Choosing between Denver and Joliet involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Long-term affordability in Denver versus Joliet depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.