Joliet IL vs Macon GA — 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%

Macon, GA

Georgia · Population: 61,773

  • Median HH Income$70,086
  • Median Home Price$171,916
  • Unemployment3.9%
  • Bachelor's+46.8%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Macon
19.8%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Macon
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Macon
$70,086
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Macon
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Macon
47.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Macon
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Macon
1752
Macon +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Macon
N/A

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Macon
45.7 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Macon
55.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Macon
30.2 min
Macon +

Which City is Right for You?

Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Joliet has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).

Compare More Cities

About Joliet & Macon