Hartford CT 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)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Hartford
119,970
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Joliet
34.7%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.3 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 15.2% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 36.1% | 17.0% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.1% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 34.7% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Joliet
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $68,110 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 25.0% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Joliet
$264,637
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $264,637 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Joliet
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 344 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1842 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Hartford +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 41.9% | Hartford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 13.9% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 19.1% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 50.6°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Hartford +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hartford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 31.7 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hartford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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