Joliet IL vs Lee's Summit MO — 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%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 102,583 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 38.6 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 4.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 17.0% | 10.2% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.9% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 5.3% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,527 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $313,200 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Lee's Summit
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 501 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2418 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Lee's Summit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 32.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 18.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| 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
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Lee's Summit +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Lee's Summit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Lee's Summit + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 26.9 min | Lee's Summit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, 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 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Lee's Summit has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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