Joliet IL vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 121,537 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 37.1 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 6.6% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 17.0% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 7.6% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $61,454 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $55,297 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 19.1% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 55.0% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 643 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2824 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Lafayette
17.8%
Lafayette +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.4% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 17.8% | Lafayette + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.1% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 67.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 61.0 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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