Abilene TX vs Joliet IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Abilene +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 35.3 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 66.6% | 52.7% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.1% | Abilene + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Abilene +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.8% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 25.0% | Abilene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Joliet
$264,637
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $264,637 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Abilene +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 41.9% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 13.9% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.1% | Abilene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.0% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 36.8 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Abilene +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Abilene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 31.7 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Abilene has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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