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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

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Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.1K/month more in Joliet, IL

$150.0K in your current city equals $162.9K in Joliet, IL

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Kansas City, MO-KS area
Overall Cost
14.3%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,073
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$12.9K
Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Kansas City, KS

Population:153K
Cost Index:
100
100 = national average
Median Home:$161K

Joliet, IL

Population:150K
Cost Index:
114
(14% above avg)
Median Home:$205K

Kansas City, KS

The Sunflower State

153K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Kansas, this city has a population of 153K residents.

Joliet, IL

The Prairie State

150K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Illinois, this city has a population of 150K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Kansas City, KS vs Joliet, IL

Housing
38.6%
Kansas City, KS
$1,845
Joliet, IL
$2,558
Difference
$713
more
Transportation
31.5%
Kansas City, KS
$1,184
Joliet, IL
$1,557
Difference
$373
more
Other
4.1%
Kansas City, KS
$1,565
Joliet, IL
$1,629
Difference
$63.93
more
Groceries
5.8%
Kansas City, KS
$937
Joliet, IL
$991
Difference
$54.02
more
All Utilities
5.4%
Kansas City, KS
$528
Joliet, IL
$500
Difference
$28.72
less
Healthcare
4.4%
Kansas City, KS
$599
Joliet, IL
$573
Difference
$26.60
less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Kansas City, KS: Kansas City KS Earnings Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

Joliet, IL has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$811
To$1,040
$229
1 Bed
From$894
To$1,111
$217
2 Bed
From$1,010
To$1,253
$243
3 Bed
From$1,316
To$1,615
$299
Kansas City, KSZIP-level data

1BR range: $900$1,650/mo

Joliet, ILZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,380$1,610/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,659
Monthly in Kansas City, KS
$7,807
Monthly in Joliet, IL
$1,149
Difference

Home Values

Kansas City
Joliet
$161K
Median Value
$205K
↑ +1.6%
YoY Change
↓ -0.9%
↑ +55.9%
5-Year Change
↑ +36.7%
$115K - $322K
Price Range
$198K - $339K

Homes in Joliet are 28% more expensive than Kansas City

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
$993
Per year
Monthly Difference
$82.75
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.7%
Rate difference

Kansas City, KS

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Kansas State Tax
Effective: 5.6%
$8.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.3%
$45.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,714/month
$104.6K

Joliet, IL

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Illinois State Tax
Effective: 5.0%
$7.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 29.6%
$44.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,797/month
$105.6K

Additional Tax Information

Kansas City, KS Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.7%
Property Tax:1.3%

Joliet, IL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%
Property Tax:2.2%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Kansas City
Joliet
46 Good
Air Quality
54 Moderate
59.3%
Good Air Days
35.8%
97 High
Climate Risk
100 Very High
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🫨
+3.3°F
2050 Outlook
+3.2°F
44 days
Heat Days >95°F
18 days
+3.3°F
2050 Outlook
+3.2°F
44 days
Heat Days >95°F
18 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Kansas and Illinois on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

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