Bloomington, IL vs Joliet, IL

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Bloomington is 15.8% cheaper than Joliet. With a cost index of 79 vs 94, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Bloomington to Joliet should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Bloomington is $1,004/month compared to $1,237/month in Joliet — a 19% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Bloomington is more affordable at $198,800 median vs $248,600.

Median household income in Bloomington is $75,449 compared to $88,026 in Joliet (-14.3%). The higher salaries in Joliet partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Bloomington spend roughly 16% of their income on rent, less than the 16.9% in Joliet.