Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Joliet
52.7%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 149,785 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.3 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 53.6% | 52.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 17.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 2.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $35,820 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 25.0% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Joliet
$264,637
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $264,637 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 31.7 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Joliet has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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