Independence MO 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)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
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
Independence
121,944
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 149,785 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 72.2% | 52.7% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.1% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $35,820 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 25.0% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Joliet
$264,637
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $264,637 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 41.9% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.9% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 19.1% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 31.7 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
Compare More Cities
Independence, MO vs New York, NYIndependence, MO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Independence, MOHouston, TX vs Independence, MOIndependence, MO vs Phoenix, AZIndependence, MO vs Philadelphia, PA