Joliet IL vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 14.3% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 48.3% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 7.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
San Antonio
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $62,917 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $32,983 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 17.1% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 28.7% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 52.4% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Joliet, IL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 24.5% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 68.5°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
San Antonio
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Antonio + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 26.5 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and San Antonio has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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