Jacksonville FL 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Joliet
17.0%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 149,785 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 51.2% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 30.1% | 17.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 2.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 34.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Joliet
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $88,026 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $35,820 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 11.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 25.0% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Joliet
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Joliet
1842
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Joliet
13.9%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 41.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.9% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 19.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 36.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Jacksonville +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Jacksonville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
Joliet
31.7 min
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 31.7 min | Jacksonville + |
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, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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