Cost of Living: Fort Worth, TX vs Joliet, IL (2026)

Fort Worth

Texas
97
VS

Joliet

Illinois
88

Fort Worth is 10% more expensive than Joliet.

$1,412/mo ↑ 14%
Median Rent
$1,237/mo ↓ 12%
$76,602/yr ↓ 13%
Median Income
$88,026/yr ↑ 15%
$277,300 ↑ 12%
Home Value
$248,600 ↓ 10%
$1,489/mo ↑ 1%
Owner Costs
$1,472/mo ↓ 1%
941,311
Population
149,785

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Worth, TX and Joliet, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $175/month cheaper in Joliet, saving renters about $2,100/year.

Median household income is $11,424/year higher in Joliet. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Worth is $277,300 compared to $248,600 in Joliet.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Worth vs Joliet — common questions

Is Fort Worth or Joliet cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Joliet is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 97 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Worth and Joliet?
Median rent in Fort Worth is $1,412/month and in Joliet it's $1,237/month — a difference of $175/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Worth or Joliet?
Median household income is $76,602 in Fort Worth and $88,026 in Joliet. Median household income is $11,424/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 Fort Worth or Joliet?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Worth has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,412/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 Worth details → View Joliet details →

More Comparisons

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