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

Santa Clarita

California
197
VS

Joliet

Illinois
88

Santa Clarita is 124% more expensive than Joliet.

$2,486/mo ↑ 101%
Median Rent
$1,237/mo ↓ 50%
$119,926/yr ↑ 36%
Median Income
$88,026/yr ↓ 27%
$721,000 ↑ 190%
Home Value
$248,600 ↓ 66%
$2,649/mo ↑ 80%
Owner Costs
$1,472/mo ↓ 44%
229,021
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

24.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
16.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clarita, CA and Joliet, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 88 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,249/month cheaper in Joliet, saving renters about $14,988/year.

Median household income is $31,900/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clarita is $721,000 compared to $248,600 in Joliet.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clarita vs Joliet — common questions

Is Santa Clarita or Joliet cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Joliet is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clarita and Joliet?
Median rent in Santa Clarita is $2,486/month and in Joliet it's $1,237/month — a difference of $1,249/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clarita or Joliet?
Median household income is $119,926 in Santa Clarita and $88,026 in Joliet. Median household income is $31,900/year higher in Santa Clarita.
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 Santa Clarita or Joliet?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,486/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 Santa Clarita details → View Joliet details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Santa Clarita and Joliet

Santa Clarita vs. Spokane Santa Clarita vs. Fremont Santa Clarita vs. Enterprise Santa Clarita vs. Richmond Santa Clarita vs. Norfolk Santa Clarita vs. Baton Rouge Joliet vs. Jackson Joliet vs. Surprise Joliet vs. Escondido Joliet vs. Naperville Joliet vs. Bellevue Joliet vs. Pasadena