Joliet vs Montgomery
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Joliet
Montgomery
The Verdict
Montgomery is 20.3% less expensive than Joliet overall. A household earning $75,000 in Joliet would need approximately $62,368 in Montgomery 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 $62,368 in Montgomery.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $90,190 in Joliet.
Living in Joliet vs Montgomery
Housing Costs
Joliet's housing index of 85 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $162,000. The $113,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,344 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Joliet compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet vs $470/month in Montgomery. 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 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $460 in Montgomery. 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 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-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 $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $71,899 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 $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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