Joliet IL vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 52.7% | 16.5% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.9% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $48,416 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $25,509 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 10.9% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 24.7% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 17.4% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $482,675 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 24.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.6% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 20.0% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 23.4% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.2% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 54.9°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 46.3 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Joliet +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 35.9 min | Joliet + |
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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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