Clearwater FL 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 15.2% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 52.7% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.1% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $35,820 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.8% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 25.0% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Joliet
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Joliet
14.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 41.9% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.7% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.9% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.1% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.0% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 31.7 min | Clearwater + |
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, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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