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

Oakland

California
195
VS

Joliet

Illinois
88

Oakland is 122% more expensive than Joliet.

$1,917/mo ↑ 55%
Median Rent
$1,237/mo ↓ 35%
$97,369/yr ↑ 11%
Median Income
$88,026/yr ↓ 10%
$924,700 ↑ 272%
Home Value
$248,600 ↓ 73%
$2,164/mo ↑ 47%
Owner Costs
$1,472/mo ↓ 32%
438,072
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

23.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Oakland, CA and Joliet, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 195 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $680/month cheaper in Joliet, saving renters about $8,160/year.

Median household income is $9,343/year higher in Oakland. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Oakland is $924,700 compared to $248,600 in Joliet.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Oakland vs Joliet — common questions

Is Oakland or Joliet cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Joliet is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 195 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Oakland and Joliet?
Median rent in Oakland is $1,917/month and in Joliet it's $1,237/month — a difference of $680/month.
Which city has higher income, Oakland or Joliet?
Median household income is $97,369 in Oakland and $88,026 in Joliet. Median household income is $9,343/year higher in Oakland.
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 Oakland or Joliet?
It depends on your priorities. Oakland has a cost index of 195 with median rent of $1,917/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 Oakland details → View Joliet details →

More Comparisons

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