Joliet IL vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 52.7% | 40.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 13.3% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Providence
$64,538
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $66,772 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $64,538 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.4% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 20.1% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $429,449 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 41.2% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 19.6% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.6% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 27.4 min | Providence + |
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, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
Compare More Cities
Joliet, IL vs New York, NYJoliet, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Joliet, ILHouston, TX vs Joliet, ILJoliet, IL vs Phoenix, AZJoliet, IL vs Philadelphia, PA