Buffalo NY 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)
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 149,785 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.3 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 45.4% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 32.9% | 17.0% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.1% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Joliet
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $68,110 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 25.0% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Joliet
$264,637
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $264,637 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1842 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 41.9% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.9% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.1% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 50.6°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 31.7 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Buffalo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.4%.
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