Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 149,785 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 83.6% | 52.7% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 2.1% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Joliet
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $35,820 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 11.0% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 25.0% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Joliet
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Boise, ID | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 344 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1842 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | 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
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 50.6°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 36.8 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Boise +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 31.7 min | Boise + |
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, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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