City Comparison

Joliet vs Tokyo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Joliet

Illinois
95
Below Average
$275,000
Median Home
$1,325/mo
Median Rent
$88,000
Median Income

Tokyo

Japan
82
Very Affordable
$450,000
Median Home
$1,225/mo
Median Rent
$42,000
Median Income

The Verdict

15.9%

Tokyo is 15.9% less expensive than Joliet overall. A household earning $75,000 in Joliet would need approximately $64,737 in Tokyo to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
85
Joliet
98
Tokyo
Groceries
101
Joliet
88
Tokyo
Utilities
94
Joliet
85
Tokyo
Transportation
108
Joliet
78
Tokyo
Healthcare
102
Joliet
62
Tokyo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Joliet has the same purchasing power as $64,737 in Tokyo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tokyo equals $86,890 in Joliet.

Living in Joliet vs Tokyo

Housing Costs

Joliet's housing index of 85 is lower Tokyo's 98, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $450,000. The $175,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,376 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Joliet compared to $1,225/mo in Tokyo, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 88 in Tokyo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet vs $418/month in Tokyo. Tokyo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Joliet and 85 in Tokyo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $340 in Tokyo. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Joliet and 62 in Tokyo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 40-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 $42,000 in Tokyo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $51,220 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 $980/month in Tokyo. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In Tokyo, median rent of $1,225/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tokyo is 15.9% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Joliet has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,737 in Tokyo, based on the cost of living difference.
Joliet's housing index is 85 with median homes at $275,000, while Tokyo's is 98 with median homes at $450,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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