Irving TX 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)
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
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
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irving
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Joliet
35.3
Foreign Born
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Irving
36.7%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Irving
12.9%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Joliet
34.7%
Spanish at Home
Irving
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 149,785 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 35.3 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 41.9% | 15.2% | Irving + |
| White | 36.7% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 12.9% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 2.1% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 43.0% | 34.7% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irving
$79,641
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irving
$63,758
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Joliet
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,641 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,462 | $35,820 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.8% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 11.0% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.6% | 25.0% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irving
$344,888
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Irving
38.3%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,888 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.3% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
442
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
2339
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Joliet
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irving
20.6%
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irving
17.0%
Irving +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.6% | 41.9% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.7% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.7% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 13.9% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 19.1% | Irving + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.0% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Joliet
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Irving, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Irving +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irving
55.0%
Joliet
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irving, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Irving + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irving
26.0 min
Irving +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Irving, TX | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 31.7 min | Irving + |
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 442 in Irving. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Irving has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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