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
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 61,773 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.2 | Macon + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 52.7% | 43.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 30.4% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.0% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 19.8% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | 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 +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $70,086 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $57,405 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 12.7% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 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%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 47.2% | Joliet + |
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 +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 392 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 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
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 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
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 64.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 45.7 in | Joliet + |
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
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Macon
30.2 min
Macon +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 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).
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