Joliet IL vs Lubbock TX — 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Lubbock
261,078
Lubbock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Lubbock
2.8%
Lubbock +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 261,078 | Lubbock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 6.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 17.0% | 8.3% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.8% | Lubbock + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Lubbock
$60,487
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Lubbock
$34,629
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Lubbock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Lubbock
19.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $60,487 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $34,629 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 19.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 34.9% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Lubbock
50.8%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 50.8% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Lubbock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Lubbock
2339
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Lubbock
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Lubbock
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Lubbock
17.6%
Lubbock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.8% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.5% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 18.4% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 17.6% | Lubbock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Lubbock +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Lubbock
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Lubbock + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Lubbock has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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