Joliet vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Joliet
Springfield
The Verdict
Joliet is 11.2% less expensive than Springfield overall. A household earning $75,000 in Joliet would need approximately $84,474 in Springfield 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 $84,474 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $66,589 in Joliet.
Living in Joliet vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Joliet's housing index of 85 is lower Springfield's 106, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $230,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Joliet compared to $1,200/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 104 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet vs $494/month in Springfield. 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 119 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $476 in Springfield. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Joliet and 114 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $41,612 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $38,890 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 $971/month in Springfield. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases