Joliet, IL Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Joliet, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Joliet →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Joliet, Illinois is home to roughly 150,221 residents. The typical household here earns $84,971 a year — above the median we track across cities (+18%).
Anyone weighing a move to Joliet should know the median home value is $233,800, below the multi-city median (-28%), and median rent runs $1,174 per month. Current mortgage rates and local property taxes both affect the real math of buying versus renting.
At roughly 2.8 times median household income, home values in Joliet are on the affordable end compared to the cities we cover. The local market has seen 4.6% price growth over the past year — solid, sustainable movement rather than a rapid runup. Natural-hazard exposure in Joliet is rated Relatively High by FEMA, on the elevated end — something to check with insurers before buying.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $1,174/mo in Joliet would take 16.6% of your income.
$950/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($233,800) would take 17.6% of your income toward principal & interest.
$735/mo under the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Joliet
Median home value is $233,800 and median gross rent is $1,174/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Will rose 4.6% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,781/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Joliet's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively High. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Joliet reported a violent crime rate of 344.3 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Joliet
Planning a move to Joliet? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Joliet, IL?
- Housing drives most of the cost-of-living picture in Joliet — median home value of $233,800, median rent of $1,174/month — set against a median household income of $84,971 (US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022)).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Joliet?
- To keep rent under the commonly recommended 30% of income in Joliet, where median rent runs $1,174/month, you'd want to earn about $46,960 annually. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Joliet.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Joliet?
- With a median home value of $233,800 and median rent of $1,174/month, renting comfortably in Joliet takes about $46,960/year (the 30% guideline), while buying at the median price takes roughly $53,492/year in principal-and-interest alone (assumes 20% down, a 30-year fixed loan, and current mortgage rates). The right call depends on how long you plan to stay and your down payment.
- Is Joliet safe?
- Joliet reported a violent crime rate of 344.3 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data. Compare that figure against other cities you're considering for context.
See the full salary breakdown for Joliet →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Joliet's.