Joliet, IL vs Chicago, 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: Joliet, IL leads with parks and recreation at $459 per resident, while Chicago, IL leads with fire protection at $10,754.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 92% of total revenue in Joliet, IL and 100% in Chicago, IL.
Summary
Chicago spends 46.0% 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 | $0 | $26 |
| Sales Tax | $323 | $74 |
| Income Tax | $1,006 | $229 |
| Intergovernmental | $12,066 | $85,083 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,156 | $2,847 |
| Other | $3,429 | $3,463 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $208 | $10,754 |
| Highways & Roads | $165 | $930 |
| Public Welfare | $2,118 | $1,858 |
| Health | $450 | $426 |
| Hospitals | $485 | $1,444 |
| Parks & Recreation | $459 | $122 |
| Housing | $3,292 | $6,520 |
| Sewerage | $94 | $129 |
| Utilities | $3,400 | $2,983 |
| Other | $8,005 | $9,385 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.