City Comparison

Joliet vs Oklahoma City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Joliet

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

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma
87
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$55,458
Median Income

The Verdict

9.2%

Living in Oklahoma City costs 9.2% less than Joliet. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Joliet, you would need $68,684 in Oklahoma City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
85
Joliet
68
Oklahoma City
Groceries
101
Joliet
95
Oklahoma City
Utilities
94
Joliet
92
Oklahoma City
Transportation
108
Joliet
100
Oklahoma City
Healthcare
102
Joliet
92
Oklahoma City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Joliet has the same purchasing power as $68,684 in Oklahoma City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Oklahoma City equals $81,897 in Joliet.

Living in Joliet vs Oklahoma City

Housing Costs

Joliet's housing index of 85 is higher Oklahoma City's 68, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $195,000. The $80,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,196 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 Oklahoma City, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 95 in Oklahoma City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet vs $451/month in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Joliet and 92 in Oklahoma City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $368 in Oklahoma City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Joliet and 92 in Oklahoma City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $55,458 in Oklahoma City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $63,745 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 $1,294/month in Oklahoma City. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In Oklahoma City, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Oklahoma City is 9.2% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Joliet has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,684 in Oklahoma City, based on the cost of living difference.
Joliet's housing index is 85 with median homes at $275,000, while Oklahoma City's is 68 with median homes at $195,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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