Joliet IL vs Lynchburg VA — 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%
Lynchburg, VA
Virginia · Population: 79,255
- Median HH Income$59,808
- Median Home Price$264,994
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 79,255 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 4.6% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 17.0% | 27.7% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 5.0% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Lynchburg
$59,808
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Lynchburg
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $59,808 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $30,004 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,581 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 17.4% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Lynchburg
49.1%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $264,994 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 49.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Lynchburg
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.9% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 19.4% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Lynchburg
41.5 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 54.8°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 41.5 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Lynchburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Lynchburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynchburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
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, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lynchburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynchburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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