Joliet IL vs San Marcos 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Joliet
52.7%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 99,507 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 17.0% | 4.3% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.4% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
San Marcos
11.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $64,146 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $33,835 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 11.9% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 24.9% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
San Marcos
63.3%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $313,452 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 63.3% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Joliet, IL | San Marcos, 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 Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Joliet +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 22.3% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 19.7% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 19.7% | Joliet + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 68.5°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
San Marcos +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
San Marcos
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Marcos + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
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 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and San Marcos has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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