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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Joliet

Illinois
88

San Jose is 189% more expensive than Joliet.

$2,617/mo ↑ 112%
Median Rent
$1,237/mo ↓ 53%
$141,565/yr ↑ 61%
Median Income
$88,026/yr ↓ 38%
$1,187,800 ↑ 378%
Home Value
$248,600 ↓ 79%
$2,775/mo ↑ 89%
Owner Costs
$1,472/mo ↓ 47%
990,054
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

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Joliet, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,380/month cheaper in Joliet, saving renters about $16,560/year.

Median household income is $53,539/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $248,600 in Joliet.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Joliet — common questions

Is San Jose or Joliet cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Joliet is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Joliet?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Joliet it's $1,237/month — a difference of $1,380/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Joliet?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $88,026 in Joliet. Median household income is $53,539/year higher in San Jose.
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 San Jose or Joliet?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 San Jose details → View Joliet details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Jose and Joliet

San Jose vs. Dallas San Jose vs. Austin San Jose vs. San Diego San Jose vs. Jacksonville San Jose vs. San Antonio San Jose vs. Fort Worth Joliet vs. Jackson Joliet vs. Surprise Joliet vs. Escondido Joliet vs. Naperville Joliet vs. Bellevue Joliet vs. Pasadena