City Comparison

Joliet vs McKinney

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Joliet

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

McKinney

Texas
112
Above Average
$472,000
Median Home
$1,900/mo
Median Rent
$124,200
Median Income

The Verdict

15.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 15.2%, with Joliet being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Joliet has equivalent purchasing power to $88,421 in McKinney.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
85
Joliet
140
McKinney
Groceries
101
Joliet
97
McKinney
Utilities
94
Joliet
113
McKinney
Transportation
108
Joliet
85
McKinney
Healthcare
102
Joliet
129
McKinney

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Joliet has the same purchasing power as $88,421 in McKinney.

Conversely, $75,000 in McKinney equals $63,616 in Joliet.

Living in Joliet vs McKinney

Housing Costs

Joliet's housing index of 85 is lower McKinney's 140, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $472,000. The $197,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,804 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Joliet compared to $1,900/mo in McKinney, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 97 in McKinney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet vs $461/month in McKinney. 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 113 in McKinney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $452 in McKinney. 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 129 in McKinney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-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 $124,200 in McKinney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $110,893 respectively. McKinney residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,053/month to housing in Joliet vs $2,898/month in McKinney. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In McKinney, median rent of $1,900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 55 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Joliet is 15.2% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Joliet has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,421 in McKinney, based on the cost of living difference.
Joliet's housing index is 85 with median homes at $275,000, while McKinney's is 140 with median homes at $472,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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