City Comparison

Joliet vs Shreveport

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Joliet

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

Shreveport

Louisiana
84
Very Affordable
$170,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$43,200
Median Income

The Verdict

13.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 13.1%, with Shreveport being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Joliet has equivalent purchasing power to $66,316 in Shreveport.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
85
Joliet
54
Shreveport
Groceries
101
Joliet
98
Shreveport
Utilities
94
Joliet
91
Shreveport
Transportation
108
Joliet
96
Shreveport
Healthcare
102
Joliet
93
Shreveport

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Joliet has the same purchasing power as $66,316 in Shreveport.

Conversely, $75,000 in Shreveport equals $84,821 in Joliet.

Living in Joliet vs Shreveport

Housing Costs

Joliet's housing index of 85 is higher Shreveport's 54, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $170,000. The $105,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,828 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Joliet compared to $900/mo in Shreveport, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 98 in Shreveport. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet vs $466/month in Shreveport. 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 91 in Shreveport. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $364 in Shreveport. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Joliet and 93 in Shreveport. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $43,200 in Shreveport. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $51,429 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 $1,008/month in Shreveport. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In Shreveport, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shreveport is 13.1% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Joliet has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,316 in Shreveport, based on the cost of living difference.
Joliet's housing index is 85 with median homes at $275,000, while Shreveport's is 54 with median homes at $170,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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