Eugene OR 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)
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
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
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Eugene +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 149,785 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 78.9% | 52.7% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 2.1% | Eugene + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $35,820 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 25.0% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 41.9% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.7% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.9% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 19.1% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.0% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Eugene +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Eugene + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 31.7 min | Eugene + |
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 355 in Eugene. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Eugene has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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