Joliet IL vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Paterson
N/A
White
Joliet
52.7%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 52.7% | N/A | - |
| Black | 17.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $527,542 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.1% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.6% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 28.6% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.4% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Paterson, NJ | 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
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,637. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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