Chicago, IL vs Joliet, IL
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Chicago, IL outspends Joliet, IL by a wide margin per resident — $34,551 versus $18,675, a 85% difference. A gap this size usually reflects a structurally different service mix or accounting scope rather than a single line item.
Chicago, IL holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 61/100 (grade C) against 40/100 (grade D) for Joliet, IL — a 21-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Chicago, IL carries the lighter load at $977 per resident versus $4,260 for Joliet, IL. Their budgets diverge on where the largest per-resident dollars go: Chicago, IL leads with fire protection at $10,754 per resident, while Joliet, IL leads with parks and recreation at $459.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Chicago, IL and 92% in Joliet, IL.
Summary
Chicago spends 85.0% more per capita than Joliet ($15,877/person difference). Chicago, IL has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 61/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $26 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $74 | $323 |
| Income Tax | $229 | $1,006 |
| Intergovernmental | $85,083 | $12,066 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,847 | $2,156 |
| Other | $3,463 | $3,429 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $10,754 | $208 |
| Highways & Roads | $930 | $165 |
| Public Welfare | $1,858 | $2,118 |
| Health | $426 | $450 |
| Hospitals | $1,444 | $485 |
| Parks & Recreation | $122 | $459 |
| Housing | $6,520 | $3,292 |
| Sewerage | $129 | $94 |
| Utilities | $2,983 | $3,400 |
| Other | $9,385 | $8,005 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.