Cedar Rapids IA 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)
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 79.7% | 52.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $35,820 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 25.0% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Joliet
$264,637
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $264,637 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Joliet
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 344 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1842 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Joliet
19.1%
Joliet +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 41.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 13.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 19.1% | Joliet + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 50.6°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 31.7 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Joliet has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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