Joliet, IL vs. Naperville, IL: Cost of Living Comparison (2025)
This article provides a cost of living comparison: Joliet vs Naperville. It is perfect for families relocating, professionals choosing between job offers, or anyone comparing the real-life cost of Joliet vs Naperville in 2025.
1. Housing Costs
Housing is often the biggest factor in cost of living. Here’s how Joliet and Naperville stack up:
| Housing Type | Joliet | Naperville |
|---|---|---|
| Median 2BR Apartment Rent | $1,250 | $1,650 |
| Median 3BR Home Price | $225,000 | $450,000 |
🏆 Winner: Joliet
2. Utilities and Energy Costs
Utility bills in Joliet and Naperville are fairly similar. Expect to pay around $150-200 per month for electricity, gas, water, and trash in a 2BR apartment.
Both cities experience cold winters and hot summers. Naperville has slightly higher summer A/C costs. Joliet offers an off-peak electricity plan to help save.
🏆 Winner: Joliet
3. Groceries and Daily Expenses
Grocery prices are comparable between the two cities. A couple in Joliet spends around $400-500 per month on groceries, while the same items cost about 5% more in Naperville.
Eating out is noticeably pricier in Naperville, with entrees averaging $18-25 compared to $12-18 in Joliet. Everyday goods and services also tend to cost 10-15% more.
🏆 Winner: Joliet
4. Taxes and Fees
Joliet has a lower property tax rate of 2.81% vs Naperville’s 3.11%. For a $300K home, that’s a difference of $900 per year.
In Joliet, HOA fees often include landscaping and trash, ranging from $100-300 monthly. Naperville HOAs are pricier at $200-500+ but may include more amenities.
🏆 Winner: Joliet
5. Cost of Living in Joliet vs Naperville
| Category | Joliet | Naperville |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,250 | $1,650 |
| Utilities | $180 | $200 |
| Groceries | $450 | $475 |
| Transportation | $60 | $75 |
| Taxes | $450 | $550 |
| Misc | $250 | $300 |
| Estimated Monthly Total | $2,640 | $3,250 |
6. Lifestyle Fit
Joliet offers more affordable housing and a lower cost of living overall. However, Naperville has higher-rated schools, lower crime rates, and more upscale amenities. Naperville averages 5°F cooler in summer than Joliet.
Naperville is closer to Chicago, with a 35 minute train ride vs 1 hour from Joliet. But Joliet offers a shorter average commute of 28 minutes vs 35 minutes. Joliet has 20% more green space than Naperville.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Joliet more affordable than Naperville? Yes, Joliet has a lower cost of living across all major categories, with the biggest savings in housing.
- Which city has lower rent? Joliet has lower average rent prices. A typical 2BR apartment costs $400 less per month compared to Naperville.
- Where is it cheaper to buy a home? Joliet has significantly lower home prices. The median price of a 3BR house is $225,000 in Joliet vs $450,000 in Naperville.
8. Conclusion
While both are desirable Chicago suburbs, Joliet offers a meaningfully lower cost of living than Naperville. Families looking to stretch their budget with more affordable housing and lower expenses overall will find Joliet appealing. Professionals who value top schools, prestige amenities, and a quicker commute to Chicago may prefer Naperville despite the higher price tag.
For more insights, check out these Monthly Budget Examples for Joliet Residents or our full Cost of Living in Joliet (2025 Guide). We also have detailed cost of living breakdowns for many other cities in Illinois and beyond.