salaryJoliet is the 4th-largest city in Illinois that we track, with 150,445 residents. Rent is higher than in 56% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $71,160 a year. That is $34 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Illinois cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Illinois. It is number 224 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Joliet?
Share of households by yearly income. 33.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Joliet
| Size | Joliet | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,032 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,011 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,451 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,814 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,962 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Joliet overall?
Everyday prices in Illinois overall are same as the U.S. average (index 100.0, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Joliet, so the Illinois figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Joliet
Life in Joliet
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Joliet?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $65 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $265,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $26,580 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Joliet, IL?
Renting in Joliet costs a median of about $1,779 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in Joliet?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $71,160 a year, or $34 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Joliet cheap or expensive?
Joliet is rated OK: rent takes 21.5% of the typical household income of $99,439. It ranks 224th cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Joliet?
The median homeowner in Joliet pays $5,694 a year in property taxes, about 2.14% of the median home value.
Is Joliet more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Illinois are same as the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Joliet?
The median home value in Joliet is $265,800, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.
150,445 people live in Joliet. Numbers are typical (middle) values.