Joliet IL vs Newport News VA — 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%
Newport News, VA
Virginia · Population: 184,774
- Median HH Income$66,718
- Median Home Price$294,407
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Newport News
8.1%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Newport News
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 8.1% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 42.3% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 10.5% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Newport News
$66,718
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Newport News
15.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $66,718 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 15.1% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 29.1% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $294,407 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 48.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Newport News
40.7%
Newport News +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Newport News
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Newport News
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Newport News
13.6%
Newport News +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Newport News
14.4%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 40.7% | Newport News + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.5% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.4% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 13.6% | Newport News + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.4% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Newport News
45.4 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 60.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 45.4 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Newport News +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newport News + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Newport News
25.2 min
Newport News +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 25.2 min | Newport News + |
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, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newport News scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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