Joliet IL vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Rockford
147,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Rockford
37.5
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Rockford
12.3%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Rockford
55.5%
Rockford +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Rockford
21.8%
Rockford +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Rockford
20.6%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 147,649 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 37.5 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 12.3% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 55.5% | Rockford + |
| Black | 17.0% | 21.8% | Rockford + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 20.6% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Rockford
$68,110
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $53,328 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $30,409 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $68,110 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 8.6% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 21.9% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 23.2% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 53.8% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Rockford
344
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Rockford
1842
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 344 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1842 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Joliet +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Rockford
15.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Rockford
15.5%
Rockford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 44.7% | Joliet + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.4% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 19.0% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.0% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.5% | Rockford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.1% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Rockford
49.2°F
Rockford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 49.2°F | Rockford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Rockford
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Rockford
22.7 min
Rockford +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 22.7 min | Rockford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Rockford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Joliet scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.9%.
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