Joliet IL vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Lansing
10.1%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Lansing
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 112,546 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 10.1% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 17.0% | 23.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 12.9% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $52,170 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $29,894 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,052 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 8.1% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 19.9% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Lansing
53.9%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 53.9% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 471 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Lansing
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Lansing
16.4%
Lansing +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 39.9% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.4% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 19.6% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.4% | Lansing + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.8% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Lansing
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Joliet has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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