Joliet IL vs Las Cruces NM — 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%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 112,612 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 10.1% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 17.0% | 2.6% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.9% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $55,176 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $30,804 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $53,141 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.4% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 22.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $290,963 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 55.6% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 834 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3177 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.0% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.7% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 58.8°F | Joliet + |
| 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
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Las Cruces + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
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 834 in Las Cruces. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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