Joliet IL vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 52.7% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 17.0% | 7.8% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $77,041 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 14.3% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $411,323 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 57.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 450 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2150 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.3% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 72.1°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
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, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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