Joliet IL vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 47,823 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 36.8 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 11.6% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 17.0% | 1.8% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.6% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $50,294 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $28,418 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $53,141 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 24.2% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 19.6% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Rio Rancho
66.4%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $362,476 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 66.4% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 834 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3177 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 55.7°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
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 834 in Rio Rancho. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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