Joliet IL vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 8.3% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 41.5% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 20.0% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $46,628 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $30,451 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.9% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 26.6% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 37.2% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.3% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.8% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.6% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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