Joliet IL vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Omaha
35.3
Tie
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Omaha
4.0%
Omaha +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.3 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 10.9% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 17.0% | 11.8% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.0% | Omaha + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 15.6% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Omaha
$72,708
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Omaha
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Omaha
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $72,708 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $66,354 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 12.8% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Omaha
57.7%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $297,017 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 57.7% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1960 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Joliet +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 37.5% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.0% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 20.0% | Joliet + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.2% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 51.1°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Omaha +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Omaha + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
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, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Omaha scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
Compare More Cities
Joliet, IL vs New York, NYJoliet, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Joliet, ILHouston, TX vs Joliet, ILJoliet, IL vs Phoenix, AZJoliet, IL vs Philadelphia, PA