Joliet IL vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Madison
11.6%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 11.6% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 17.0% | 7.1% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 9.3% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $76,983 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $61,837 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 16.2% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $429,253 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 46.6% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Joliet +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 20.8% | Joliet + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 37.3 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
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, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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