Joliet IL vs Pittsburgh PA — 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 9.3% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 17.0% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 4.2% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $64,137 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,080 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 19.5% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 47.2% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 51.8°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 39.3 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Joliet has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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