Gainesville FL 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 35.3 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 59.2% | 52.7% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.6% | 17.0% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 2.1% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Gainesville +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 5.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 25.0% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Joliet
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Joliet
13.9%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Gainesville +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 41.9% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 11.7% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.9% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 19.1% | Gainesville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.0% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 31.7 min | Gainesville + |
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, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Gainesville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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