Joliet vs Kent
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Joliet
Kent
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 30.7%, with Joliet being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Joliet has equivalent purchasing power to $108,158 in Kent.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Joliet has the same purchasing power as $108,158 in Kent.
Conversely, $75,000 in Kent equals $52,007 in Joliet.
Living in Joliet vs Kent
Housing Costs
Joliet's housing index of 85 is lower Kent's 195, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $595,000. The $320,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,796 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Joliet compared to $1,750/mo in Kent, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 109 in Kent. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet vs $518/month in Kent. Joliet offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Joliet and 92 in Kent. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $368 in Kent. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Joliet and 122 in Kent. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $88,000 in Joliet and $98,300 in Kent. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $71,752 respectively. Joliet residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,053/month to housing in Joliet vs $2,294/month in Kent. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 110 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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