Joliet vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Joliet
Surprise
The Verdict
Living in Joliet costs 7.8% less than Surprise. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Joliet, you would need $81,316 in Surprise.
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 $81,316 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $69,175 in Joliet.
Living in Joliet vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Joliet's housing index of 85 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $419,000. The $144,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,360 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Joliet compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $250.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet vs $475/month in Surprise. 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 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Joliet and 97 in Surprise. 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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $83,010 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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