City Comparison

Joliet vs Twin Falls

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Joliet

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

Twin Falls

Idaho
92
Below Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,150/mo
Median Rent
$60,900
Median Income

The Verdict

3.3%

Living in Twin Falls costs 3.3% less than Joliet. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Joliet, you would need $72,632 in Twin Falls.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
85
Joliet
93
Twin Falls
Groceries
101
Joliet
98
Twin Falls
Utilities
94
Joliet
85
Twin Falls
Transportation
108
Joliet
96
Twin Falls
Healthcare
102
Joliet
94
Twin Falls

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Joliet has the same purchasing power as $72,632 in Twin Falls.

Conversely, $75,000 in Twin Falls equals $77,446 in Joliet.

Living in Joliet vs Twin Falls

Housing Costs

Joliet's housing index of 85 is lower Twin Falls's 93, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $380,000. The $105,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,828 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Joliet compared to $1,150/mo in Twin Falls, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 98 in Twin Falls. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet vs $466/month in Twin Falls. 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 85 in Twin Falls. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $340 in Twin Falls. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Joliet and 94 in Twin Falls. 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 $60,900 in Twin Falls. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $66,196 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 $1,421/month in Twin Falls. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In Twin Falls, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 12 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Twin Falls is 3.3% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Joliet has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,632 in Twin Falls, based on the cost of living difference.
Joliet's housing index is 85 with median homes at $275,000, while Twin Falls's is 93 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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