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

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Joliet

Illinois
88

Sacramento is 50% more expensive than Joliet.

$1,694/mo ↑ 37%
Median Rent
$1,237/mo ↓ 27%
$83,753/yr ↓ 5%
Median Income
$88,026/yr ↑ 5%
$484,600 ↑ 95%
Home Value
$248,600 ↓ 49%
$1,752/mo ↑ 19%
Owner Costs
$1,472/mo ↓ 16%
524,802
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 Sacramento, CA and Joliet, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $457/month cheaper in Joliet, saving renters about $5,484/year.

Median household income is $4,273/year higher in Joliet. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 compared to $248,600 in Joliet.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Sacramento vs Joliet — common questions

Is Sacramento or Joliet cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Joliet is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Joliet?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Joliet it's $1,237/month — a difference of $457/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Joliet?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $88,026 in Joliet. Median household income is $4,273/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 Sacramento or Joliet?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/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 Sacramento details → View Joliet details →

More Comparisons

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