Cost of Living: Fort Lauderdale, FL vs Joliet, IL (2026)

Fort Lauderdale

Florida
132
VS

Joliet

Illinois
88

Fort Lauderdale is 50% more expensive than Joliet.

$1,776/mo ↑ 44%
Median Rent
$1,237/mo ↓ 30%
$79,935/yr ↓ 9%
Median Income
$88,026/yr ↑ 10%
$455,600 ↑ 83%
Home Value
$248,600 ↓ 45%
$1,778/mo ↑ 21%
Owner Costs
$1,472/mo ↓ 17%
183,032
Population
149,785

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.95%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.86%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

26.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Lauderdale, FL and Joliet, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $539/month cheaper in Joliet, saving renters about $6,468/year.

Median household income is $8,091/year higher in Joliet. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Lauderdale is $455,600 compared to $248,600 in Joliet.

Florida has no state income tax, giving Fort Lauderdale residents a significant tax advantage over Illinois's 4.95% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Lauderdale vs Joliet — common questions

Is Fort Lauderdale or Joliet cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Joliet is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Lauderdale and Joliet?
Median rent in Fort Lauderdale is $1,776/month and in Joliet it's $1,237/month — a difference of $539/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Lauderdale or Joliet?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale and $88,026 in Joliet. Median household income is $8,091/year higher in Joliet.
How do taxes compare between Florida and Illinois?
Florida has 0% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.86% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Lauderdale or Joliet?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Lauderdale has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,776/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 Fort Lauderdale details → View Joliet details →

More Comparisons

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