Garland TX 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)
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Garland
37.5%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Joliet
34.7%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 149,785 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.3 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 15.2% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 15.3% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 2.1% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 34.7% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.8% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 25.0% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 41.9% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.7% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 13.9% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 19.1% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.0% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Garland +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Garland, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Garland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Garland
32.5 min
Joliet
31.7 min
Joliet +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 31.7 min | Joliet + |
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 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Garland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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