Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 149,785 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.3 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 49.4% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 38.7% | 17.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $35,820 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 25.0% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Joliet
$264,637
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $264,637 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Joliet
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 41.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 19.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 31.7 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Joliet has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
Compare More Cities
Cincinnati, OH vs New York, NYCincinnati, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cincinnati, OHCincinnati, OH vs Houston, TXCincinnati, OH vs Phoenix, AZCincinnati, OH vs Philadelphia, PA