Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.3 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 15.2% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 52.7% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 2.1% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Joliet
$88,026
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Joliet
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $88,026 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $35,820 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 25.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 41.9% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.7% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 13.9% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.1% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 14.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 36.8 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Berkeley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Joliet
31.7 min
Joliet +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 31.7 min | Joliet + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
Compare More Cities
Berkeley, CA vs New York, NYBerkeley, CA vs Los Angeles, CABerkeley, CA vs Chicago, ILBerkeley, CA vs Houston, TXBerkeley, CA vs Phoenix, AZBerkeley, CA vs Philadelphia, PA