Joliet vs Waco
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Joliet
Waco
The Verdict
Waco is 14.5% less expensive than Joliet overall. A household earning $75,000 in Joliet would need approximately $65,526 in Waco to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $65,526 in Waco.
Conversely, $75,000 in Waco equals $85,843 in Joliet.
Living in Joliet vs Waco
Housing Costs
Joliet's housing index of 85 is higher Waco's 63, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $230,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Joliet compared to $1,050/mo in Waco, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 95 in Waco. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet vs $451/month in Waco. Waco 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 97 in Waco. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $388 in Waco. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Joliet and 93 in Waco. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $49,500 in Waco. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $59,639 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 $1,155/month in Waco. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In Waco, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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