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

Riverside

California
144
VS

Joliet

Illinois
88

Riverside is 64% more expensive than Joliet.

$1,812/mo ↑ 46%
Median Rent
$1,237/mo ↓ 32%
$88,575/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$88,026/yr ≈ Same
$542,100 ↑ 118%
Home Value
$248,600 ↓ 54%
$1,880/mo ↑ 28%
Owner Costs
$1,472/mo ↓ 22%
316,241
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

24.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Riverside, CA and Joliet, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 144 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $575/month cheaper in Joliet, saving renters about $6,900/year.

Median household income is $549/year higher in Riverside. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Riverside is $542,100 compared to $248,600 in Joliet.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Riverside vs Joliet — common questions

Is Riverside or Joliet cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Joliet is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 144 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Riverside and Joliet?
Median rent in Riverside is $1,812/month and in Joliet it's $1,237/month — a difference of $575/month.
Which city has higher income, Riverside or Joliet?
Median household income is $88,575 in Riverside and $88,026 in Joliet. Median household income is $549/year higher in Riverside.
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 Riverside or Joliet?
It depends on your priorities. Riverside has a cost index of 144 with median rent of $1,812/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 Riverside details → View Joliet details →

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