Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 149,785 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 27.4% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 60.0% | 17.0% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.1% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Joliet
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $35,820 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $68,110 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 25.0% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Joliet
$264,637
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $264,637 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1842 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 41.9% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.9% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 19.1% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Baltimore +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 31.7 min | Baltimore + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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