Columbus GA 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 149,785 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.3 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 39.3% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 46.7% | 17.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.1% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 25.0% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Joliet
$264,637
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $264,637 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Columbus +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 41.9% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.9% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 19.1% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 31.7 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.3%.
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