Joliet IL vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Portland
11.1%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 68,505 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 37.5 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 11.1% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 17.0% | 9.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 3.1% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $76,174 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $61,587 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 11.3% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $561,069 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 46.7% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 17.8% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 47.3 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
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, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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