Carmel IN 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)
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
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
Carmel
100,501
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 77.5% | 52.7% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 2.1% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Joliet
$88,026
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Joliet
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $88,026 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $35,820 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.8% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 11.0% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 25.0% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Joliet
73.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 73.1% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Carmel +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 41.9% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.7% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 17.7% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 13.9% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.1% | Carmel + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.0% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 31.7 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, 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 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Joliet has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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