Des Moines IA 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)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 149,785 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.3 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 66.9% | 52.7% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.1% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Des Moines +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Des Moines +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $35,820 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 25.0% | Des Moines + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Joliet
$264,637
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $264,637 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Joliet
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 344 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1842 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Joliet
19.1%
Joliet +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 41.9% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.9% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 19.1% | Joliet + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 50.6°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 36.8 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 31.7 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Joliet has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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