Joliet IL vs Kirkland WA — 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%
Kirkland, WA
Washington · Population: 57,088
- Median HH Income$87,277
- Median Home Price$1,274,801
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Kirkland
57,088
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Kirkland
37.7
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Kirkland
12.4%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Kirkland
66.8%
Kirkland +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Kirkland
6.1%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Kirkland
10.0%
Kirkland +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Kirkland
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 57,088 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 37.7 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 12.4% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 66.8% | Kirkland + |
| Black | 17.0% | 6.1% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 10.0% | Kirkland + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 12.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Kirkland
$87,277
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Kirkland
$41,024
Kirkland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Kirkland
$76,120
Kirkland +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Kirkland
5.1%
Kirkland +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Kirkland
11.0%
Kirkland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Kirkland
32.2%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $87,277 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $41,024 | Kirkland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Kirkland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.1% | Kirkland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 11.0% | Kirkland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 32.2% | Kirkland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Kirkland
$1,274,801
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Kirkland
57.2%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $1,274,801 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 57.2% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Kirkland
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Kirkland
3409
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 383 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3409 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Kirkland
21.8%
Kirkland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Kirkland
6.4%
Kirkland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Kirkland
14.2%
Kirkland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Kirkland
5.3%
Kirkland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Kirkland
18.1%
Kirkland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Kirkland
6.3%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 21.8% | Kirkland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 6.4% | Kirkland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 14.2% | Kirkland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 5.3% | Kirkland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 18.1% | Kirkland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 6.3% | Kirkland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Kirkland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Kirkland
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Kirkland
7.5 µg/m³
Kirkland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Kirkland
75.0%
Kirkland +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kirkland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kirkland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Kirkland
28.2 min
Kirkland +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Kirkland, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 28.2 min | Kirkland + |
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 383 in Kirkland. Kirkland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Kirkland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kirkland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.8%.
Compare More Cities
Joliet, IL vs New York, NYJoliet, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Joliet, ILHouston, TX vs Joliet, ILJoliet, IL vs Phoenix, AZJoliet, IL vs Philadelphia, PA