Joliet IL vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Joliet
52.7%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 100,731 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 37.0 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 52.7% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 17.0% | 6.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.5% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 24.5% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $56,025 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $30,475 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.6% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 19.9% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 16.8% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $439,767 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 40.0% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.2% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 22.0% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 21.4% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 51.8°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 51.9 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
New Bedford +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Bedford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
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, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Bedford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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