Joliet vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Joliet
Springfield
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 13.1%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Joliet has equivalent purchasing power to $66,316 in Springfield.
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 $66,316 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $84,821 in Joliet.
Living in Joliet vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Joliet's housing index of 85 is higher Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $225,000. The $50,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,252 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Joliet compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet vs $447/month in Springfield. Springfield offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Joliet and 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $316 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 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $54,762 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 $1,073/month in Springfield. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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