Bellingham WA 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)
Bellingham, WA
Washington · Population: 92,367
- Median HH Income$65,821
- Median Home Price$669,185
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
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
Bellingham
92,367
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellingham
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Bellingham
9.1%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Bellingham
1.3%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Bellingham
5.4%
Bellingham +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Bellingham
10.0%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Bellingham
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,367 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.3 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 79.5% | 52.7% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 1.3% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 5.4% | 2.1% | Bellingham + |
| Hispanic | 10.0% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellingham
$65,821
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Bellingham
$42,120
Bellingham +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Joliet
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Bellingham
5.6%
Bellingham +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Bellingham
18.3%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,821 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,120 | $35,820 | Bellingham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $68,110 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.8% | Bellingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.3% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 25.0% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellingham
$669,185
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Bellingham
45.2%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $669,185 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
383
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellingham
3409
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellingham
19.7%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
18.5%
Bellingham +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.0% | 41.9% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.9% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 19.1% | Bellingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.0% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
51.7°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellingham
35.3 in
Bellingham +
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.7°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.3 in | 36.8 in | Bellingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellingham
75.0%
Bellingham +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Bellingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 31.7 min | Bellingham + |
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 383 in Bellingham. Bellingham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Bellingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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