Cost of Living: El Paso, TX vs Joliet, IL (2026)

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Joliet

Illinois
88

El Paso is 24% cheaper than Joliet.

$1,041/mo ↓ 16%
Median Rent
$1,237/mo ↑ 19%
$58,734/yr ↓ 33%
Median Income
$88,026/yr ↑ 50%
$171,700 ↓ 31%
Home Value
$248,600 ↑ 45%
$1,044/mo ↓ 29%
Owner Costs
$1,472/mo ↑ 41%
678,147
Population
149,785

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.95%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Joliet, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $196/month cheaper in El Paso, saving renters about $2,352/year.

Median household income is $29,292/year higher in Joliet. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $248,600 in Joliet.

Texas has no state income tax, giving El Paso residents a significant tax advantage over Illinois's 4.95% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Joliet — common questions

Is El Paso or Joliet cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, El Paso is cheaper to live in with an index of 67 compared to 88 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Joliet?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Joliet it's $1,237/month — a difference of $196/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Joliet?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $88,026 in Joliet. Median household income is $29,292/year higher in Joliet.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Illinois?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to El Paso or Joliet?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/mo, while Joliet has a cost index of 88 with rent of $1,237/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View El Paso details → View Joliet details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for El Paso and Joliet

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