Joliet vs Laredo
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Joliet
Laredo
The Verdict
Laredo is 15.9% less expensive than Joliet overall. A household earning $75,000 in Joliet would need approximately $64,737 in Laredo to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $64,737 in Laredo.
Conversely, $75,000 in Laredo equals $86,890 in Joliet.
Living in Joliet vs Laredo
Housing Costs
Joliet's housing index of 85 is higher Laredo's 81, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $190,000. The $85,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Joliet compared to $1,075/mo in Laredo, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 91 in Laredo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet vs $432/month in Laredo. Laredo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Joliet and 107 in Laredo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $428 in Laredo. 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 102 in Joliet and 77 in Laredo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-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 $63,900 in Laredo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $77,927 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 $1,491/month in Laredo. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In Laredo, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases