Joliet IL vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Palm Bay
125,273
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Palm Bay
15.1%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Palm Bay
19.7%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 125,273 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 41.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 15.1% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 17.0% | 19.3% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 19.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Palm Bay
$67,521
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Palm Bay
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Palm Bay
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $67,521 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $34,474 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 11.6% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 22.6% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $304,173 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.2% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.5% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Palm Bay + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 29.6 min | Palm Bay + |
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, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palm Bay scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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