Joliet
Illinois
Pop. 150,221
VS
Naperville
Illinois
Pop. 149,089

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

70
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
62
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
Naperville wins 2–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Joliet wins 1–2 overall (70/100)
💰 Joliet is more affordable
💼 Naperville has lower unemployment
🛡️ Naperville has fewer disasters

📋 Joliet vs Naperville — The Verdict

Naperville scores 62.8/100 compared to Joliet's 70.8/100, winning 2 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Joliet has a clear edge with home prices 52% lower. Joliet may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Joliet are 52% lower — a difference of $248,800 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Joliet saves you $613/month — that's $7,356 per year.
💵
Households in Naperville earn $58,783 more per year (69% higher median income).
💰 Joliet vs Naperville: Cost of Living Comparison
90
vs
45
Median Home Value
$233,800
$482,600
Median Rent /mo
$1,174
$1,787
Median Income
$84,971
$143,754
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Joliet offers home prices 52% lower than Naperville, translating to $248,800 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Joliet vs Naperville: Job Market & Salaries
60
vs
70
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.
🌡️ Joliet vs Naperville: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Joliet vs Naperville: Air Quality & Environment
70
vs
70
Air Quality (AQI)
63 Moderate
69 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.
🌐 Joliet vs Naperville: 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.
⚠️ Joliet vs Naperville: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
8
6
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 Joliet to Naperville: Common Questions

Is Joliet or Naperville cheaper to live in?
Joliet is more affordable overall. Home prices are $248,800 lower in Joliet. Monthly rent is $1,174 in Joliet vs $1,787 in Naperville.
Does Joliet or Naperville have better weather?
Naperville scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Joliet or Naperville better for finding a job?
Naperville currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.6% in Joliet vs 4.6% in Naperville. Median household income is $84,971 in Joliet and $143,754 in Naperville.
Which city is safer — Joliet or Naperville?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Naperville is safer. Joliet has had 8 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 6 in Naperville. Joliet scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Naperville.
Should I move from Joliet to Naperville?
Based on our data, Joliet scores 70.8/100 vs Naperville's 62.8/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Joliet is more affordable, while Naperville 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.