Joliet IL vs Norman OK — 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%
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Norman
7.2%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 128,714 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 7.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 17.0% | 5.1% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 9.0% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $65,060 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $57,929 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Norman
52.7%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $264,711 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 429 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2375 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.8% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.0% | Norman + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Norman
38.9 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 60.2°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 38.9 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Norman +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Norman
75.0%
Norman +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Norman + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norman + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
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, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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