Joliet vs Reno
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Joliet
Reno
The Verdict
Joliet is 14.4% less expensive than Reno overall. A household earning $75,000 in Joliet would need approximately $87,632 in Reno 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 $87,632 in Reno.
Conversely, $75,000 in Reno equals $64,189 in Joliet.
Living in Joliet vs Reno
Housing Costs
Joliet's housing index of 85 is lower Reno's 133, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $450,000. The $175,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,376 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Joliet compared to $1,600/mo in Reno, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 102 in Reno. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet vs $485/month in Reno. 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 93 in Reno. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $372 in Reno. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Joliet and 96 in Reno. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $88,000 in Joliet and $61,648 in Reno. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $55,539 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 $1,438/month in Reno. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In Reno, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases