Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 149,785 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 58.4% | 52.7% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 17.0% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.1% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $35,820 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.8% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 25.0% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1842 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Huntsville +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 41.9% | Huntsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.7% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.9% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 19.1% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.0% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Huntsville +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Huntsville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Huntsville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 31.7 min | Huntsville + |
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 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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