Joliet vs Mesquite: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Joliet, IL and Mesquite, TX, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Mesquite, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 150,221 | 149,439 |
| Median household income | $84,971 | $69,649 |
| Median home value | $233,800 | $208,800 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,174 | $1,323 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Joliet, IL and Mesquite, TX comes down to what you value most. Mesquite has the lower median home value, and Joliet has the lower median rent.
Joliet has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Joliet or Mesquite?
- By median home value, Mesquite is the cheaper of the two ($208,800 vs $233,800). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Joliet or Mesquite?
- Median household income is $84,971 in Joliet versus $69,649 in Mesquite, per the US Census Bureau.