Irvine CA 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)
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
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
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 149,785 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 35.3 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 2.0% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 2.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Joliet
$88,026
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Joliet
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $88,026 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $35,820 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.8% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 25.0% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 41.9% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.7% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 13.9% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 19.1% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 14.0% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 36.8 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Irvine +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Irvine + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 31.7 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 503 in Irvine. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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