Joliet IL vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 37.7 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 3.8% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 39.9% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.1% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 3.1% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $51,090 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $32,893 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $51,690 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 18.9% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 51.4% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 400 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 40.0% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.9% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 67.4°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 65.3 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 24.5 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mobile scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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