Joliet IL vs New Orleans LA — 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 Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 38.4 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 6.6% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 31.6% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 7.9% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $55,339 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $55,297 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 22.6% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 50.5% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Joliet, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 643 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2824 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Joliet +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.1% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 19.4% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 19.7% | Joliet + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.5% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 66.6 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
New Orleans +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | New Orleans + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New Orleans + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 24.6 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and New Orleans has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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