Elgin IL 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)
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
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
Elgin
114,106
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Joliet
34.7%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 15.2% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 5.2% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 2.1% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 34.7% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Elgin +
Joliet
$88,026
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Elgin +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Joliet
$68,110
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Joliet
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Elgin +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $88,026 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $35,820 | Elgin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $68,110 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 11.0% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 25.0% | Elgin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Joliet
344
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Joliet
1842
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 344 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1842 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 41.9% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.7% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 13.9% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.1% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.0% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 50.6°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 31.7 min | Elgin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elgin leads in median household income at $88,316, 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 344 in Elgin. 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, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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