Cost of Living: Huntington Beach, CA vs Joliet, IL (2026)

Huntington Beach

California
227
VS

Joliet

Illinois
88

Huntington Beach is 158% more expensive than Joliet.

$2,424/mo ↑ 96%
Median Rent
$1,237/mo ↓ 49%
$119,885/yr ↑ 36%
Median Income
$88,026/yr ↓ 27%
$1,047,300 ↑ 321%
Home Value
$248,600 ↓ 76%
$2,436/mo ↑ 65%
Owner Costs
$1,472/mo ↓ 40%
196,010
Population
149,785

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.95%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Huntington Beach, CA and Joliet, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 227 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,187/month cheaper in Joliet, saving renters about $14,244/year.

Median household income is $31,859/year higher in Huntington Beach. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Huntington Beach is $1,047,300 compared to $248,600 in Joliet.

Illinois has a lower income tax rate, making Joliet slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntington Beach vs Joliet — common questions

Is Huntington Beach or Joliet cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Joliet is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 227 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Huntington Beach and Joliet?
Median rent in Huntington Beach is $2,424/month and in Joliet it's $1,237/month — a difference of $1,187/month.
Which city has higher income, Huntington Beach or Joliet?
Median household income is $119,885 in Huntington Beach and $88,026 in Joliet. Median household income is $31,859/year higher in Huntington Beach.
How do taxes compare between California and Illinois?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Huntington Beach or Joliet?
It depends on your priorities. Huntington Beach has a cost index of 227 with median rent of $2,424/mo, while Joliet has a cost index of 88 with rent of $1,237/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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More Comparisons

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Huntington Beach vs. Overland Park Huntington Beach vs. Peoria Huntington Beach vs. Sioux Falls Huntington Beach vs. Knoxville Huntington Beach vs. Grand Rapids Huntington Beach vs. Vancouver Joliet vs. Jackson Joliet vs. Surprise Joliet vs. Escondido Joliet vs. Naperville Joliet vs. Bellevue Joliet vs. Pasadena