Johnson City vs Joliet
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Johnson City
Joliet
The Verdict
Living in Johnson City costs 10.5% less than Joliet. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Johnson City, you would need $83,824 in Joliet.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Johnson City has the same purchasing power as $83,824 in Joliet.
Conversely, $75,000 in Joliet equals $67,105 in Johnson City.
Living in Johnson City vs Joliet
Housing Costs
Johnson City's housing index of 66 is lower Joliet's 85, translating to median home prices of $276,000 vs $275,000. The $1,000 difference in home prices means roughly $60 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Johnson City compared to $1,325/mo in Joliet, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Johnson City and 101 in Joliet. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Johnson City vs $480/month in Joliet. Johnson City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Johnson City and 94 in Joliet. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Johnson City vs $376 in Joliet. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Johnson City 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 $55,400 in Johnson City and $88,000 in Joliet. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,176 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 $1,293/month to housing in Johnson City vs $2,053/month in Joliet. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/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 Transportation, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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