Elgin, IL vs Joliet, IL

Elgin, IL and Joliet, IL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.1% difference in their overall index. Elgin 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 Elgin is $1,260/month compared to $1,237/month in Joliet — a 2% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Joliet is more affordable at $248,600 median vs $252,400.

Median household income in Elgin is $88,316 compared to $88,026 in Joliet (+0.3%). Elgin does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Elgin spend roughly 17.1% of their income on rent, more than the 16.9% in Joliet.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.7°F vs 49.4°F). Joliet receives more rainfall at 33.8" per year compared to 33.2" in Elgin.