Joliet IL vs Jonesboro AR — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Joliet, IL

Illinois · Population: 149,785

Median HH Income$88,026
Median Home Price$264,637
Unemployment5.8%
Bachelor's+25.0%

Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas · Population: N/A

Median HH IncomeN/A
Median Home Price$225,577
UnemploymentN/A
Bachelor's+N/A

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population

Joliet

149,785

Jonesboro

N/A

Pop. Density / sq mi

Lower = more space

Joliet

N/A

Jonesboro

N/A

Median Age

Joliet

35.3

Jonesboro

N/A

Foreign Born

Joliet

15.2%

Jonesboro

N/A

White

Joliet

52.7%

Jonesboro

N/A

Black

Joliet

17.0%

Jonesboro

N/A

Asian

Joliet

2.1%

Jonesboro

N/A

Hispanic

Joliet

34.7%

Jonesboro

N/A

Spanish at Home

Joliet

N/A

Jonesboro

N/A

Metric	Joliet, IL	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Population	149,785	N/A	-
Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space	N/A	N/A	-
Median Age	35.3	N/A	-
Foreign Born	15.2%	N/A	-
White	52.7%	N/A	-
Black	17.0%	N/A	-
Asian	2.1%	N/A	-
Hispanic	34.7%	N/A	-
Spanish at Home	N/A	N/A	-

Economy

Median HH Income

Joliet

$88,026

Jonesboro

N/A

Per Capita Income

Joliet

$35,820

Jonesboro

N/A

Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)

BEA MSA-level

Joliet

$68,110

Joliet +

Jonesboro

$53,714

Unemployment Rate

Joliet

5.8%

Jonesboro

N/A

Poverty Rate

Joliet

11.0%

Jonesboro

N/A

Bachelor's Degree+

Joliet

25.0%

Jonesboro

N/A

Metric	Joliet, IL	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Median HH Income	$88,026	N/A	-
Per Capita Income	$35,820	N/A	-
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level	$68,110	$53,714	Joliet +
Unemployment Rate	5.8%	N/A	-
Poverty Rate	11.0%	N/A	-
Bachelor's Degree+	25.0%	N/A	-

Housing

Median Home Value

Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS

Joliet

$264,637

Jonesboro

$225,577

Jonesboro +

Homeownership Rate

Joliet

73.1%

Jonesboro

N/A

Metric	Joliet, IL	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS	$264,637	$225,577	Jonesboro +
Homeownership Rate	73.1%	N/A	-

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Joliet

344

Joliet +

Jonesboro

660

Property Crime / 100K

FBI CDE (state-level est.)

Joliet

1842

Joliet +

Jonesboro

2507

Metric	Joliet, IL	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	344	660	Joliet +
Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.)	1842	2507	Joliet +

Health

Obesity Rate

CDC PLACES

Joliet

41.9%

Jonesboro

39.2%

Jonesboro +

Diabetes Rate

CDC PLACES

Joliet

11.7%

Jonesboro

11.4%

Jonesboro +

Poor Mental Health

CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month

Joliet

17.7%

Joliet +

Jonesboro

20.5%

No Health Insurance

CDC PLACES

Joliet

13.9%

Jonesboro

11.6%

Jonesboro +

Binge Drinking

CDC PLACES

Joliet

19.1%

Jonesboro

15.1%

Jonesboro +

Current Smokers

CDC PLACES

Joliet

14.0%

Joliet +

Jonesboro

15.7%

Metric	Joliet, IL	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Obesity RateCDC PLACES	41.9%	39.2%	Jonesboro +
Diabetes RateCDC PLACES	11.7%	11.4%	Jonesboro +
Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month	17.7%	20.5%	Joliet +
No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES	13.9%	11.6%	Jonesboro +
Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES	19.1%	15.1%	Jonesboro +
Current SmokersCDC PLACES	14.0%	15.7%	Joliet +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Joliet

50.6°F

Joliet +

Jonesboro

59.2°F

Annual Precipitation

NOAA 1991–2020 normal

Joliet

36.8 in

Joliet +

Jonesboro

48.2 in

Metric	Joliet, IL	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal	50.6°F	59.2°F	Joliet +
Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal	36.8 in	48.2 in	Joliet +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg

EPA AQS (state-level est.)

Joliet

9.4 µg/m³

Joliet +

Jonesboro

9.5 µg/m³

Good Air Days

AQI ≤ 50

Joliet

55.0%

Jonesboro

55.0%

Tie

Metric	Joliet, IL	Jonesboro, AR	Better
PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.)	9.4 µg/m³	9.5 µg/m³	Joliet +
Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50	55.0%	55.0%	Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time

Census ACS

Joliet

31.7 min

Jonesboro

N/A

Metric	Joliet, IL	Jonesboro, AR	Better
Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS	31.7 min	N/A	-

Which City is Right for You?

Jonesboro offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,577. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Jonesboro. Joliet has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jonesboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.2%.

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About Joliet & Jonesboro

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