Irving vs Joliet
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Irving
Joliet
The Verdict
Living in Joliet costs 5.3% less than Irving. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Irving, you would need $71,250 in Joliet.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $71,250 in Joliet.
Conversely, $75,000 in Joliet equals $78,947 in Irving.
Living in Irving vs Joliet
Housing Costs
Irving's housing index of 94 is higher Joliet's 85, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $275,000. The $43,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,796 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,325/mo in Joliet, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 101 in Joliet. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving 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 111 in Irving and 94 in Joliet. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving 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 103 in Irving 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 $73,400 in Irving and $88,000 in Joliet. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 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 $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $2,053/month in Joliet. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/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 Utilities, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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