Flint MI 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Flint
34.4%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 34.4% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 56.6% | 17.0% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 2.1% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 25.0% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Joliet
$264,637
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $264,637 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Flint, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1842 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Joliet
41.9%
Joliet +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 41.9% | Joliet + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.9% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 19.1% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 50.6°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 36.8 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Flint, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 31.7 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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, Joliet scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.9%.
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