Joliet IL vs Oceanside 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%
Oceanside, CA
California · Population: 172,542
- Median HH Income$93,724
- Median Home Price$877,452
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Oceanside
38.1
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Oceanside
4.2%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 172,542 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 38.1 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 20.9% | Oceanside + |
| White | 52.7% | 52.9% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 17.0% | 4.2% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 7.4% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 38.5% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $93,724 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $43,094 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 8.1% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 34.3% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Oceanside
$877,452
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Oceanside
58.5%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $877,452 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 58.5% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Oceanside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Oceanside
2388
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Oceanside, 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%
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Oceanside
16.5%
Oceanside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 26.1% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 16.9% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.7% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.5% | Oceanside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.6% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Oceanside
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 55.3°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 20.7 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Oceanside
75.0%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Oceanside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Joliet +
Oceanside
31.8 min
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 31.8 min | Joliet + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, 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 Oceanside. Oceanside has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Oceanside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oceanside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.1%.
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