Joliet IL vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 75,721 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 52.7% | 48.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 2.2% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 6.8% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $765,686 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 45.2% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Renton
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 383 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3409 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 53.2°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 40.1 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, 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 383 in Renton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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