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

Irvine

California
256
VS

Joliet

Illinois
88

Irvine is 191% more expensive than Joliet.

$2,893/mo ↑ 134%
Median Rent
$1,237/mo ↓ 57%
$129,647/yr ↑ 47%
Median Income
$88,026/yr ↓ 32%
$1,115,400 ↑ 349%
Home Value
$248,600 ↓ 78%
$2,904/mo ↑ 97%
Owner Costs
$1,472/mo ↓ 49%
308,160
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

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Joliet, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,656/month cheaper in Joliet, saving renters about $19,872/year.

Median household income is $41,621/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $248,600 in Joliet.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Joliet — common questions

Is Irvine or Joliet cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Joliet is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Joliet?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Joliet it's $1,237/month — a difference of $1,656/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Joliet?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $88,026 in Joliet. Median household income is $41,621/year higher in Irvine.
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 Irvine or Joliet?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/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.
View Irvine details → View Joliet details →

More Comparisons

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