Joliet IL vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 9.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 17.0% | 4.2% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 8.8% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $69,991 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $66,354 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 12.6% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $293,233 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 55.8% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1960 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Joliet +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 20.6% | Joliet + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 51.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lincoln + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
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, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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