Joliet IL vs Reno NV — 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%

Reno, NV

Nevada · Population: 268,959

  • Median HH Income$78,448
  • Median Home Price$570,934
  • Unemployment5.0%
  • Bachelor's+35.7%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Joliet
149,785
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Reno
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Reno
49.4%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Reno
2417

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Reno
18.9%
Reno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Reno
75.0%
Reno +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +

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, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.

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About Joliet & Reno