City Comparison

Joliet vs Peoria

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Joliet

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

Peoria

Arizona
113
Above Average
$495,000
Median Home
$1,725/mo
Median Rent
$97,300
Median Income

The Verdict

15.9%

Living in Joliet costs 15.9% less than Peoria. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Joliet, you would need $89,211 in Peoria.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
85
Joliet
149
Peoria
Groceries
101
Joliet
98
Peoria
Utilities
94
Joliet
106
Peoria
Transportation
108
Joliet
95
Peoria
Healthcare
102
Joliet
86
Peoria

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Joliet has the same purchasing power as $89,211 in Peoria.

Conversely, $75,000 in Peoria equals $63,053 in Joliet.

Living in Joliet vs Peoria

Housing Costs

Joliet's housing index of 85 is lower Peoria's 149, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $495,000. The $220,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,304 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Joliet compared to $1,725/mo in Peoria, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 98 in Peoria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet vs $466/month in Peoria. 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 106 in Peoria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $424 in Peoria. 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 86 in Peoria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $97,300 in Peoria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $86,106 respectively. Joliet residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,053/month to housing in Joliet vs $2,270/month in Peoria. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In Peoria, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 64 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Joliet is 15.9% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in Joliet has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $89,211 in Peoria, based on the cost of living difference.
Joliet's housing index is 85 with median homes at $275,000, while Peoria's is 149 with median homes at $495,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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