Joliet vs Yuma
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Joliet
Yuma
The Verdict
Yuma is 3.3% less expensive than Joliet overall. A household earning $75,000 in Joliet would need approximately $72,632 in Yuma 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 $72,632 in Yuma.
Conversely, $75,000 in Yuma equals $77,446 in Joliet.
Living in Joliet vs Yuma
Housing Costs
Joliet's housing index of 85 is higher Yuma's 82, translating to median home prices of $275,000 vs $284,000. The $9,000 difference in home prices means roughly $588 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,325/mo in Joliet compared to $1,100/mo in Yuma, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Joliet and 101 in Yuma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Joliet vs $480/month in Yuma. 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 Yuma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Joliet vs $408 in Yuma. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Joliet and 87 in Yuma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $54,100 in Yuma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $92,632 and $58,804 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 $1,262/month in Yuma. In Joliet, median rent of $1,325/mo fits within this budget. In Yuma, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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