Anchorage AK 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)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 149,785 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.3 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 58.3% | 52.7% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 2.1% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Joliet
$88,026
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Joliet
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Joliet
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $88,026 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $35,820 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $68,110 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.8% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 11.0% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 25.0% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Anchorage +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 41.9% | Anchorage + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 11.7% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.7% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.9% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.1% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 50.6°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 36.8 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 31.7 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, 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 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anchorage scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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