Joliet IL vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Salem
12.2%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.7 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 12.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 17.0% | 1.6% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 23.4% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $71,900 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,691 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 14.7% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $438,754 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 55.7% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 355 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3001 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Salem
41.4%
Salem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Salem
11.7%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 41.4% | Salem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.7% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.8% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 53.0°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 39.7 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
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 355 in Salem. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.4%.
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