Joliet IL vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Portland
12.4%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 38.6 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 12.4% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 17.0% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 11.3% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,691 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 12.8% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $538,687 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 52.8% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Portland
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 355 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3001 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.3% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 51.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 78.3 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 in Portland. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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