Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Atlanta +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 149,785 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.3 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 39.9% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 46.9% | 17.0% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 2.1% | Atlanta + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $35,820 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 25.0% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 41.9% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.7% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.7% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.9% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 19.1% | Atlanta + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.0% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 31.7 min | Atlanta + |
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 Atlanta. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Joliet has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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