Joliet IL vs Laredo TX — 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%
Laredo, TX
Texas · Population: 255,949
- Median HH Income$63,264
- Median Home Price$221,806
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Laredo
37.6%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Laredo
0.5%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Laredo
0.5%
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 255,949 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 25.4% | Laredo + |
| White | 52.7% | 37.6% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 0.5% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 0.5% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Laredo
$63,264
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Laredo
$24,584
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Laredo
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Laredo
5.5%
Laredo +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Laredo
20.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
Laredo
21.5%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $63,264 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $24,584 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.5% | Laredo + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 20.8% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 21.5% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Laredo
63.3%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $221,806 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 63.3% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Laredo
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Laredo
2339
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Joliet +
Laredo
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Laredo
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Laredo
35.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 42.2% | Joliet + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.4% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 17.3% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 35.7% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.2% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.1% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Laredo
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 74.2°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 20.2 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Laredo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Laredo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 22.7 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Laredo. Laredo has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Laredo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Joliet scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.9%.
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