Joliet IL vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 36.4 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 7.9% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 46.4% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 10.4% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $60,583 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $53,714 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 16.4% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 54.2% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 660 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2507 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Little Rock
11.4%
Little Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 40.5% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.1% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.4% | Little Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 62.7°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 50.0 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Little Rock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Joliet has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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