Berwyn, IL vs Joliet, IL

Berwyn, IL and Joliet, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.3% difference in their overall index. Berwyn scores 95 while Joliet scores 94 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Berwyn is $1,175/month compared to $1,237/month in Joliet — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Berwyn has cheaper rent, Joliet actually has lower median home values ($248,600 vs $286,000).

Median household income in Berwyn is $75,235 compared to $88,026 in Joliet (-14.5%). Joliet offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Berwyn spend roughly 18.7% of their income on rent, more than the 16.9% in Joliet.