Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.3 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 57.6% | 52.7% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 17.0% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.1% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.8% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 25.0% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Athens, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 31.7 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, 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 392 in Athens. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Joliet has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Athens, GA vs New York, NYAthens, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAthens, GA vs Chicago, ILAthens, GA vs Houston, TXAthens, GA vs Phoenix, AZAthens, GA vs Philadelphia, PA