Dayton 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)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
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
Dayton
136,741
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 35.3 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 51.3% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 38.0% | 17.0% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.1% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 25.0% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Joliet
$264,637
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $264,637 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Joliet
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Joliet
41.9%
Joliet +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dayton +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 41.9% | Joliet + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 13.9% | Dayton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 19.1% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 31.7 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton 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, Joliet scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.9%.
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