Methods and systems are described for determining an optimal access point for a client device based on the relative difference between signal strengths of wireless signals received by the client device from access points. In particular, the signal strengths of wireless signals received by a client device from access points are determined without receipt of signal strength and/or transmit power information from the client device. Instead, the signal strength difference value may be determined based on known characteristics of signals transmitted by the access points and known characteristics of signals received by the access points from the client device. This relative difference value may thereafter be used to determine an appropriate access point to provide network access to the client device.