Joliet IL vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 10.8% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 36.5% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 20.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $51,888 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $29,679 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $61,837 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 23.3% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 26.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 41.5% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Milwaukee
41.8%
Milwaukee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 41.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 19.1% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.1% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.3% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Milwaukee
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 24.1 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Milwaukee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Milwaukee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.8%.
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