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

Palmdale

California
130
VS

Joliet

Illinois
88

Palmdale is 48% more expensive than Joliet.

$1,736/mo ↑ 40%
Median Rent
$1,237/mo ↓ 29%
$81,151/yr ↓ 8%
Median Income
$88,026/yr ↑ 8%
$435,300 ↑ 75%
Home Value
$248,600 ↓ 43%
$1,831/mo ↑ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,472/mo ↓ 20%
165,487
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

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Palmdale, CA and Joliet, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 130 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $499/month cheaper in Joliet, saving renters about $5,988/year.

Median household income is $6,875/year higher in Joliet. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Palmdale is $435,300 compared to $248,600 in Joliet.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Palmdale vs Joliet — common questions

Is Palmdale or Joliet cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Joliet is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 130 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Palmdale and Joliet?
Median rent in Palmdale is $1,736/month and in Joliet it's $1,237/month — a difference of $499/month.
Which city has higher income, Palmdale or Joliet?
Median household income is $81,151 in Palmdale and $88,026 in Joliet. Median household income is $6,875/year higher in Joliet.
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 Palmdale or Joliet?
It depends on your priorities. Palmdale has a cost index of 130 with median rent of $1,736/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 Palmdale details → View Joliet details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Palmdale and Joliet

Palmdale vs. Springfield Palmdale vs. Salinas Palmdale vs. Fort Collins Palmdale vs. Hayward Palmdale vs. Lancaster Palmdale vs. Corona Joliet vs. Jackson Joliet vs. Surprise Joliet vs. Escondido Joliet vs. Naperville Joliet vs. Bellevue Joliet vs. Pasadena