Joliet vs Overland Park: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Joliet, Illinois compare to Overland Park, Kansas? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Joliet is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 35% lower in Joliet compared to Overland Park, while rent is 15% lower. State income tax is 4.95% in IL vs 5.7% in KS.
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Overland Park, KS | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $233,800 | $361,800 | -35.4% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,174 | $1,378 | -14.8% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $84,971 | $100,876 | -15.8% |
| Per Capita Income | $34,169 | $57,411 | -40.5% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 5.0% | 5.7% | -13.2% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.8% | 8.7% | +1.1% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 150,221 | 196,676 | -23.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Joliet
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Overland Park
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Joliet costs $233,800 compared to $361,800 in Overland Park — a 35% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,174/mo in Joliet vs $1,378/mo in Overland Park.
- Income: Median household income is $84,971 in Joliet and $100,876 in Overland Park.
- Taxes: State income tax is 4.95% in Illinois vs 5.7% in Kansas.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).