Fullerton CA 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Joliet
34.7%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 15.2% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 2.1% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 2.1% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 34.7% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Joliet
$88,026
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Joliet
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $88,026 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $35,820 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 25.0% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Fullerton +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Fullerton +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 41.9% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.7% | Fullerton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.7% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.9% | Fullerton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 19.1% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.0% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | 36.8 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Fullerton +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Fullerton +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Fullerton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fullerton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fullerton
32.5 min
Joliet
31.7 min
Joliet +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 31.7 min | Joliet + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, 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 503 in Fullerton. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Fullerton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
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