Joliet IL vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 52.7% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 17.0% | 2.7% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 20.8% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $74,925 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $60,713 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 13.4% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $580,126 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 46.8% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1931 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.2% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 52.8°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salt Lake City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
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, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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