Franklin vs Joliet
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Franklin
Joliet
The Verdict
Joliet is 46.3% less expensive than Franklin overall. A household earning $75,000 in Franklin would need approximately $51,259 in Joliet to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Franklin has the same purchasing power as $51,259 in Joliet.
Conversely, $75,000 in Joliet equals $109,737 in Franklin.
Living in Franklin vs Joliet
Housing Costs
Franklin's housing index of 230 is higher Joliet's 85, translating to median home prices of $750,000 vs $275,000. The $475,000 difference in home prices means roughly $30,876 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Franklin compared to $1,325/mo in Joliet, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Franklin and 101 in Joliet. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Franklin 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 97 in Franklin and 94 in Joliet. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Franklin vs $376 in Joliet. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 91 in Franklin and 102 in Joliet. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $118,200 in Franklin and $88,000 in Joliet. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $85,036 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 $2,758/month to housing in Franklin vs $2,053/month in Joliet. In Franklin, median rent of $1,850/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 145 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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