Joliet IL vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Plymouth
13.6%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 79,526 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 40.7 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 13.6% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 17.0% | 5.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 4.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $514,358 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Plymouth
1992
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1992 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Plymouth
18.5%
Plymouth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 18.5% | Plymouth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Plymouth, MN | 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
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Plymouth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Plymouth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 24.5 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while joliet offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,637. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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