Joliet vs Tallahassee: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Joliet, Illinois compare to Tallahassee, Florida? 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 9% lower in Joliet compared to Tallahassee, while rent is 1% higher. FL has no state income tax.
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Tallahassee, FL | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $233,800 | $256,400 | -8.8% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,174 | $1,165 | +0.8% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $84,971 | $52,899 | +60.6% |
| Per Capita Income | $34,169 | $33,803 | +1.1% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 5.0% | None | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.8% | 7.0% | +26.0% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 150,221 | 198,259 | -24.2% |
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 — Tallahassee
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 $256,400 in Tallahassee — a 9% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,174/mo in Joliet vs $1,165/mo in Tallahassee.
- Income: Median household income is $84,971 in Joliet and $52,899 in Tallahassee.
- Taxes: Florida has no state income tax, while Illinois has a 4.95% rate.
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).