Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Colorado Springs +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 149,785 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 72.3% | 52.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.1% | Colorado Springs + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Joliet
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Joliet
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $35,820 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $68,110 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 11.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 25.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 41.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 11.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.1% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 50.6°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 36.8 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 31.7 min | Colorado Springs + |
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, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
Compare More Cities
Colorado Springs, CO vs New York, NYColorado Springs, CO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Colorado Springs, COColorado Springs, CO vs Houston, TXColorado Springs, CO vs Phoenix, AZColorado Springs, CO vs Philadelphia, PA