High Point NC 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)
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
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
High Point
115,263
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
High Point
46.1%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 46.1% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 32.7% | 17.0% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.1% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.8% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 25.0% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Joliet
$264,637
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $264,637 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 41.9% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.7% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.9% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 19.1% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
High Point +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
High Point +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | High Point + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | High Point + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 31.7 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and High Point has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, High Point scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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