Gresham 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 15.2% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 52.7% | Gresham + |
| Black | 4.4% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.1% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Gresham +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.8% | Gresham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 25.0% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Gresham, 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
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 41.9% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.7% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 13.9% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.1% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Gresham +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Gresham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Gresham +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 31.7 min | Gresham + |
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 Gresham. Gresham has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Gresham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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