City Comparison

Joliet vs Kissimmee

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Joliet

Illinois
95
Below Average
$275,000
Median Home
$1,325/mo
Median Rent
$88,000
Median Income

Kissimmee

Florida
101
Average
$365,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$51,300
Median Income

The Verdict

5.9%

Joliet is 5.9% less expensive than Kissimmee overall. A household earning $75,000 in Joliet would need approximately $79,737 in Kissimmee to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
85
Joliet
111
Kissimmee
Groceries
101
Joliet
100
Kissimmee
Utilities
94
Joliet
88
Kissimmee
Transportation
108
Joliet
95
Kissimmee
Healthcare
102
Joliet
90
Kissimmee

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Joliet has the same purchasing power as $79,737 in Kissimmee.

Conversely, $75,000 in Kissimmee equals $70,545 in Joliet.

Living in Joliet vs Kissimmee

Housing Costs

Joliet's housing index of 85 is lower Kissimmee's 111, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $365,000. The $90,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Joliet compared to $1,425/mo in Kissimmee, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 100 in Kissimmee. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet vs $475/month in Kissimmee. 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 94 in Joliet and 88 in Kissimmee. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $352 in Kissimmee. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Joliet and 90 in Kissimmee. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $51,300 in Kissimmee. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $50,792 respectively. Joliet residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,053/month to housing in Joliet vs $1,197/month in Kissimmee. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In Kissimmee, median rent of $1,425/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Joliet is 5.9% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 101.
A $75,000 salary in Joliet has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $79,737 in Kissimmee, based on the cost of living difference.
Joliet's housing index is 85 with median homes at $275,000, while Kissimmee's is 111 with median homes at $365,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases