Denton TX 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)
Denton, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$354,100
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Denton
1,299,553
Denton +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denton
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Denton
33.4
Denton +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Denton
23.4%
Denton +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Denton
41.9%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Denton
23.7%
Denton +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Denton
3.7%
Denton +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Denton
41.9%
Denton +
Joliet
34.7%
Spanish at Home
Denton
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 149,785 | Denton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.3 | Denton + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 15.2% | Denton + |
| White | 41.9% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 23.7% | 17.0% | Denton + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.1% | Denton + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 34.7% | Denton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denton
$67,760
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Denton
$44,138
Denton +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denton
$63,758
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Denton
4.9%
Denton +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Denton
17.2%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denton
37.4%
Denton +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Denton, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $35,820 | Denton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.8% | Denton + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 25.0% | Denton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denton
$354,100
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Denton
42.4%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $354,100 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
442
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
2339
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
35.5%
Denton +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
9.5%
Denton +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denton
19.4%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denton
14.9%
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denton
18.3%
Denton +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denton
11.2%
Denton +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Denton, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 41.9% | Denton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.7% | Denton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.9% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 19.1% | Denton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.0% | Denton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
64.8°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
38.1 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denton
9.2 µg/m³
Denton +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denton
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denton, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Denton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denton
28.3 min
Denton +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Denton, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 31.7 min | Denton + |
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 442 in Denton. Denton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Denton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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