Irvine vs Joliet
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Irvine
Joliet
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 87.4%, with Joliet being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Irvine has equivalent purchasing power to $40,028 in Joliet.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Irvine has the same purchasing power as $40,028 in Joliet.
Conversely, $75,000 in Joliet equals $140,526 in Irvine.
Living in Irvine vs Joliet
Housing Costs
Irvine's housing index of 294 is higher Joliet's 85, translating to median home prices of $1.1M vs $275,000. The $775,000 difference in home prices means roughly $50,376 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $3,000/mo in Irvine compared to $1,325/mo in Joliet, a monthly difference of $1,675.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Irvine and 101 in Joliet. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Irvine vs $480/month in Joliet. Joliet offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Irvine and 94 in Joliet. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Irvine vs $376 in Joliet. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 109 in Irvine 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 $108,038 in Irvine and $88,000 in Joliet. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,696 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 $2,521/month to housing in Irvine vs $2,053/month in Joliet. In Irvine, median rent of $3,000/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 209 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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