Joliet IL vs Norwalk CA — 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%
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Norwalk
100,713
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Norwalk
36.5
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Norwalk
24.0%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Norwalk
4.2%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 100,713 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 36.5 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 32.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 52.7% | 24.0% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 4.2% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 13.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 69.5% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Norwalk
$31,989
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Norwalk
5.6%
Norwalk +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
Norwalk
21.3%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $98,709 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $31,989 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.6% | Norwalk + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 9.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 21.3% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Norwalk
$765,319
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Norwalk
68.1%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $765,319 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 68.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Norwalk
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Norwalk
2388
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Norwalk
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Norwalk
15.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 26.9% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 16.1% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.4% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.3% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.5% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Norwalk
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Norwalk
75.0%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Norwalk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Joliet +
Norwalk
32.1 min
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 32.1 min | Joliet + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, 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 503 in Norwalk. Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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