Joliet IL vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Sacramento
29.5%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.7 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 52.7% | 36.8% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 12.4% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 29.5% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Sacramento
$83,753
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Sacramento
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $83,753 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.2% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 14.4% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $480,548 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 51.5% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 17.9% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 61.0°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 27.0 min | Sacramento + |
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 503 in Sacramento. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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