Joliet IL vs Pasadena TX — 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 125,983 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 36.5 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 52.7% | 45.5% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 18.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 25.4% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Pasadena
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Pasadena
39.1%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Pasadena
17.1%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 39.1% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.6% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 17.8% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 32.1% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 17.1% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.6% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Pasadena, TX | 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
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Joliet +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 36.1 min | Joliet + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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