City Comparison

Joliet vs Sandy Springs

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Joliet

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

Sandy Springs

Georgia
135
Expensive
$670,000
Median Home
$1,825/mo
Median Rent
$101,000
Median Income

The Verdict

29.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 29.6%, with Joliet being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Joliet has equivalent purchasing power to $106,579 in Sandy Springs.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
85
Joliet
223
Sandy Springs
Groceries
101
Joliet
103
Sandy Springs
Utilities
94
Joliet
97
Sandy Springs
Transportation
108
Joliet
111
Sandy Springs
Healthcare
102
Joliet
105
Sandy Springs

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Joliet has the same purchasing power as $106,579 in Sandy Springs.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sandy Springs equals $52,778 in Joliet.

Living in Joliet vs Sandy Springs

Housing Costs

Joliet's housing index of 85 is lower Sandy Springs's 223, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $670,000. The $395,000 difference in home prices means roughly $25,680 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Joliet compared to $1,825/mo in Sandy Springs, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 103 in Sandy Springs. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet vs $489/month in Sandy Springs. 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 Sandy Springs. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $388 in Sandy Springs. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Joliet and 105 in Sandy Springs. 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 $101,000 in Sandy Springs. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $74,815 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 $2,357/month in Sandy Springs. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In Sandy Springs, median rent of $1,825/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 138 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Joliet is 29.6% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 135.
A $75,000 salary in Joliet has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $106,579 in Sandy Springs, based on the cost of living difference.
Joliet's housing index is 85 with median homes at $275,000, while Sandy Springs's is 223 with median homes at $670,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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