Joliet IL vs Peoria IL — 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%
Peoria, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Peoria
12.6%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 11,626 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 12.6% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 17.0% | 4.7% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.6% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Peoria
$83,102
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Peoria
$68,110
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Peoria
27.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $83,102 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $33,805 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $68,110 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 27.6% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Peoria
344
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Peoria
1842
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 344 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1842 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Peoria
36.2%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 36.2% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.5% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 17.8% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.1% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Peoria
38.0 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 38.0 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Peoria
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Joliet +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 34.4 min | Joliet + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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