Joliet IL vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Richmond
2.1%
Tie
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 8.6% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 43.2% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.1% | Tie |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 10.3% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $62,671 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.0% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 18.8% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $374,265 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 43.5% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.3% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.8% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 58.9°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 43.6 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
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, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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