Joliet vs Sioux Falls
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Joliet
Sioux Falls
The Verdict
Living in Sioux Falls costs 2.2% less than Joliet. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Joliet, you would need $73,421 in Sioux Falls.
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 $73,421 in Sioux Falls.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sioux Falls equals $76,613 in Joliet.
Living in Joliet vs Sioux Falls
Housing Costs
Joliet's housing index of 85 is higher Sioux Falls's 80, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $265,000. The $10,000 difference in home prices means roughly $648 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Joliet compared to $1,100/mo in Sioux Falls, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 97 in Sioux Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet vs $461/month in Sioux Falls. 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 94 in Sioux Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $376 in Sioux Falls. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Joliet and 101 in Sioux Falls. 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 $61,714 in Sioux Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $66,359 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 $1,440/month in Sioux Falls. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In Sioux Falls, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases