Joliet IL vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Lakeland
12.9%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 82,506 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 48.4 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 12.9% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 17.0% | 8.8% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 14.4% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Lakeland
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Lakeland
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $60,465 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 12.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 26.8% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Lakeland
61.1%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $312,001 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 61.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 38.9% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.3% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.3% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.4% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.1% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 72.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 54.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 25.6 min | Lakeland + |
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, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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