Aurora
Illinois
Pop. 181,405
VS
Joliet
Illinois
Pop. 150,221

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

68
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
70
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
It's a tie 1–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Joliet wins 1–1 overall (70/100)
💰 Joliet is more affordable
💼 Joliet has lower unemployment
🛡️ Aurora has fewer disasters

📋 Aurora vs Joliet — The Verdict

It's a close call — Aurora (68.5/100) and Joliet (70.8/100) each win 1 categories. Housing costs are nearly identical between the two cities.

💡 Key Differences
💰
Renting in Joliet saves you $288/month — that's $3,456 per year.
💰 Aurora vs Joliet: Cost of Living Comparison
80
vs
90
Median Home Value
$241,600
$233,800
Median Rent /mo
$1,462
$1,174
Median Income
$85,943
$84,971
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
Housing costs are remarkably similar between these two cities — just 3% apart on median home values. Your decision here will likely come down to other factors like jobs and climate.
💼 Aurora vs Joliet: Job Market & Salaries
60
vs
60
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
4.6%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Job markets are essentially equivalent in both cities — the difference in unemployment rates is negligible. Focus on which city has more openings in your specific field.
🌡️ Aurora vs Joliet: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Aurora vs Joliet: Air Quality & Environment
70
vs
70
Air Quality (AQI)
69 Moderate
63 Moderate
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Aurora vs Joliet: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Aurora vs Joliet: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
6
8
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
Low
Low
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.

❓ Moving from Aurora to Joliet: Common Questions

Is Aurora or Joliet cheaper to live in?
Joliet is more affordable overall. Home prices are $7,800 lower in Joliet. Monthly rent is $1,174 in Joliet vs $1,462 in Aurora.
Does Aurora or Joliet have better weather?
Joliet scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Aurora or Joliet better for finding a job?
Joliet currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.6% in Aurora vs 4.6% in Joliet. Median household income is $85,943 in Aurora and $84,971 in Joliet.
Which city is safer — Aurora or Joliet?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Aurora is safer. Aurora has had 6 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 8 in Joliet. Aurora scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Joliet.
Should I move from Aurora to Joliet?
Based on our data, Joliet scores 70.8/100 vs Aurora's 68.5/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Joliet is more affordable, while Joliet has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.