Joliet vs Richmond
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Joliet
Richmond
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 7.8%, with Joliet being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Joliet has equivalent purchasing power to $81,316 in Richmond.
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 $81,316 in Richmond.
Conversely, $75,000 in Richmond equals $69,175 in Joliet.
Living in Joliet vs Richmond
Housing Costs
Joliet's housing index of 85 is lower Richmond's 108, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $300,000. The $25,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,620 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Joliet compared to $1,400/mo in Richmond, a monthly difference of $75.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 100 in Richmond. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet vs $475/month in Richmond. 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 97 in Richmond. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $388 in Richmond. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Joliet and 100 in Richmond. 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 $50,120 in Richmond. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $48,660 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 $1,169/month in Richmond. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In Richmond, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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