Joliet IL vs Lynn 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%
Lynn, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,905
- Median HH Income$74,715
- Median Home Price$584,482
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Lynn
100,905
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Lynn
44.6%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Lynn
12.1%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Lynn
6.0%
Lynn +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 100,905 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 36.8 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 52.7% | 44.6% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 12.1% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 6.0% | Lynn + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Lynn
$74,715
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Lynn
$35,083
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Lynn
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $74,715 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $35,083 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 13.7% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 23.3% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Lynn
50.4%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $584,482 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 50.4% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Lynn
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Lynn
11.8%
Lynn +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Lynn
14.6%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 33.8% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.3% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 17.6% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.8% | Lynn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.6% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Lynn +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lynn + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Joliet +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 33.8 min | Joliet + |
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, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Lynn has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Lynn has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
Compare More Cities
Joliet, IL vs New York, NYJoliet, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Joliet, ILHouston, TX vs Joliet, ILJoliet, IL vs Phoenix, AZJoliet, IL vs Philadelphia, PA