East Hazel Crest, IL vs Joy, IL

The cost of living difference between East Hazel Crest, IL and Joy, IL is dramatic. Joy is 44.7% cheaper than East Hazel Crest, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. East Hazel Crest has a cost index of 94 while Joy sits at 65, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in East Hazel Crest is $1,453/month compared to $885/month in Joy — a 64% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Joy is more affordable at $82,300 median vs $168,800.

Median household income in East Hazel Crest is $57,000 compared to $64,583 in Joy (-11.7%). Joy offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of East Hazel Crest spend roughly 30.6% of their income on rent, more than the 16.4% in Joy. The Joy ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.