Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Joliet
34.7%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 15.2% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.1% | 17.0% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.1% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 34.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Joliet
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $68,110 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 25.0% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Joliet
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 344 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1842 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 41.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 13.9% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 19.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 31.7 min | Elizabeth + |
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, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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