Joliet IL vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Lowell
35.5
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 114,799 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.5 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 52.7% | 50.9% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 10.8% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 19.3% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $76,205 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 16.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $484,226 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 44.0% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.5% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.1% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 47.0 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Lowell +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lowell + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 30.1 min | Lowell + |
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, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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