Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 35.3 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 81.8% | 52.7% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.1% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Joliet
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $35,820 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $68,110 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 25.0% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Joliet
19.1%
Joliet +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 41.9% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 11.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 13.9% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 19.1% | Joliet + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 14.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 36.8 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 31.7 min | Boulder + |
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 512 in Boulder. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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