Gresham vs Joliet
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Gresham
Joliet
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 34.7%, with Joliet being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Gresham has equivalent purchasing power to $55,664 in Joliet.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Gresham has the same purchasing power as $55,664 in Joliet.
Conversely, $75,000 in Joliet equals $101,053 in Gresham.
Living in Gresham vs Joliet
Housing Costs
Gresham's housing index of 172 is higher Joliet's 85, translating to median home prices of $459,000 vs $275,000. The $184,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,964 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,450/mo in Gresham compared to $1,325/mo in Joliet, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Gresham and 101 in Joliet. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Gresham 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 96 in Gresham and 94 in Joliet. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Gresham vs $376 in Joliet. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Gresham 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 $69,600 in Gresham 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 $1,624/month to housing in Gresham vs $2,053/month in Joliet. In Gresham, median rent of $1,450/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 87 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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