Joliet vs Sydney
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Joliet
Sydney
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 9.5%, with Joliet being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Joliet has equivalent purchasing power to $82,895 in Sydney.
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 $82,895 in Sydney.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sydney equals $67,857 in Joliet.
Living in Joliet vs Sydney
Housing Costs
Joliet's housing index of 85 is lower Sydney's 142, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $825,000. The $550,000 difference in home prices means roughly $35,748 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Joliet compared to $2,050/mo in Sydney, a monthly difference of $725.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 95 in Sydney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet vs $451/month in Sydney. Sydney offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Joliet and 98 in Sydney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $392 in Sydney. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Joliet and 72 in Sydney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 30-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 $60,000 in Sydney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $57,143 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 $1,400/month in Sydney. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In Sydney, median rent of $2,050/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 57 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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