Joliet IL vs Montgomery 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Montgomery
3.3%
Montgomery +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 36.2 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 5.5% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 27.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.3% | Montgomery + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 4.8% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $55,687 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $32,068 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $51,690 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.5% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 20.9% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Montgomery
54.3%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 54.3% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Montgomery
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 400 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Joliet +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 46.4% | Joliet + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.3% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 64.5°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 52.8 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Joliet scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.9%.
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