Overview
Joliet is one of the largest cities in Illinois, located about 30 miles southwest of Chicago. Residents enjoy having access to city amenities like plenty of stores, landmarks, and resources while also being a part of a close-knit community with many local events throughout the year.
Climate and Geography
The climate in Northern Illinois is humid continental, which means the region experiences four distinct seasons with summers that are hot and humid, while winters are cold and often snowy. Joliet residents can expect average amounts of rain and snowfall, and approximately 186 days of sunshine throughout each year.
Joliet is located on the southwest edge of the Chicagoland area, and is generally considered a suburb of the city. The Des Plaines River runs through downtown Joliet, and there are several other waterways that traverse through the city such as creeks, lakes, beaches, and quarries.
Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment
Some of the top attractions in Joliet include Rialto Square Theatre, Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet Prison, Joliet Area Historical Museum, Harrah’s Joliet Casino, Hollywood Casino Joliet, Rusty Wallace Racing Experience Chicago Speedway, Silver Cross Field, Jacob Henry Mansion, and Joliet Iron Work Historic Site, to name a few. There are also several golf courses like the Inwood Golf Course, Woodruff Golf Course, Wedgewood Golf Course, and Joliet Country Club.
While Joliet is one of the largest cities in Illinois, residents can just as easily visit Chicago, which is only about an hour drive away, in order to enjoy all of the world-class shopping, dining, and entertainment the city has to offer.
Cost of Living & Taxes
The cost of living in Joliet is below the state and national average. While most of the cost of living indexes are just below the national average, the cost of homes and housing are significantly lower, making the city very affordable to live in.
Illinois residents can enjoy the low effective income tax rate of 4.95 percent for single filers and 4.63 percent for joint filers. The state offers full income tax deductions for all forms of retirement income, including Social Security benefits, pensions, or retirement savings accounts, which makes the state quite tax friendly to retirees.
However, the state's sales tax and property tax are fairly high—the latter being the second-highest tax rate in the country. Homeowners who are 65+ may be eligible for a homestead exemption of up to $5,000, which can help alleviate that cost.
Health Care
Residents in Joliet have access to great health care with high performing and nationally ranked facilities that are recognized for their specializations in various procedures and conditions. These hospitals include AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center Joliet, Silver Cross Hospital, Rush-Copley Medical Center, Edward Hospital, and Palos Community Hospital, which are all within a 20-mile radius of Joliet.