City Comparison

Greeley vs Joliet

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Greeley

Colorado
113
Above Average
$420,000
Median Home
$1,275/mo
Median Rent
$72,500
Median Income

Joliet

Illinois
95
Below Average
$275,000
Median Home
$1,325/mo
Median Rent
$88,000
Median Income

The Verdict

18.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 18.9%, with Joliet being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Greeley has equivalent purchasing power to $63,053 in Joliet.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
136
Greeley
85
Joliet
Groceries
95
Greeley
101
Joliet
Utilities
89
Greeley
94
Joliet
Transportation
110
Greeley
108
Joliet
Healthcare
97
Greeley
102
Joliet

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Greeley has the same purchasing power as $63,053 in Joliet.

Conversely, $75,000 in Joliet equals $89,211 in Greeley.

Living in Greeley vs Joliet

Housing Costs

Greeley's housing index of 136 is higher Joliet's 85, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $275,000. The $145,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,275/mo in Greeley compared to $1,325/mo in Joliet, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Greeley and 101 in Joliet. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Greeley vs $480/month in Joliet. Greeley offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 89 in Greeley and 94 in Joliet. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Greeley vs $376 in Joliet. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Greeley and 102 in Joliet. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $72,500 in Greeley and $88,000 in Joliet. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $64,159 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 $1,692/month to housing in Greeley vs $2,053/month in Joliet. In Greeley, median rent of $1,275/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 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Joliet is 18.9% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in Greeley has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,053 in Joliet, based on the cost of living difference.
Greeley's housing index is 136 with median homes at $420,000, while Joliet's is 85 with median homes at $275,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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