Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Boston
47.8%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 149,785 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 35.3 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 15.2% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 21.5% | 17.0% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 2.1% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Joliet
$88,026
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Joliet
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $88,026 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $35,820 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $68,110 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 25.0% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
Joliet
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Boston, MA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 344 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1842 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Joliet
19.1%
Joliet +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 41.9% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 11.7% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 13.9% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 19.1% | Joliet + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 14.0% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Boston +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Joliet
31.7 min
Joliet +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 31.7 min | Joliet + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while joliet offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,637. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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