Ann Arbor MI 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)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Ann Arbor
N/A
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Joliet
15.2%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Joliet
34.7%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 149,785 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 52.7% | - |
| Black | N/A | 17.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 34.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Joliet
$88,026
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Joliet
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $88,026 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,820 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.8% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 11.0% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 25.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Joliet
73.1%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 73.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1842 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 41.9% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 11.7% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 13.9% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 19.1% | Ann Arbor + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 14.0% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Ann Arbor +
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 50.6°F | Ann Arbor + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 31.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 471 in Ann Arbor. Joliet has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
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