Anaheim CA 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)

Anaheim, CA

California · Population: 344,553

  • Median HH Income$90,583
  • Median Home Price$952,227
  • Unemployment5.5%
  • Bachelor's+28.7%

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
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Joliet
34.7%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Joliet
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Anaheim +
Joliet
$88,026
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Anaheim +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Anaheim +
Joliet
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Anaheim +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Anaheim +
Joliet
25.0%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Joliet
1842
Joliet +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Anaheim +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Anaheim +
Joliet
14.0%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Anaheim +
Joliet
36.8 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Anaheim +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Anaheim +
Joliet
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Anaheim +
Joliet
31.7 min

Which City is Right for You?

Anaheim leads in median household income at $90,583, while joliet offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,637. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Anaheim. Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Anaheim has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.

Compare More Cities

About Anaheim & Joliet