Joliet IL vs Santa Clarita 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%
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Santa Clarita
38.1
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 229,021 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 38.1 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 21.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| White | 52.7% | 53.1% | Santa Clarita + |
| Black | 17.0% | 4.4% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 11.4% | Santa Clarita + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 36.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $119,926 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $49,571 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Santa Clarita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.3% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 7.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 39.3% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Santa Clarita
72.0%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $802,780 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 72.0% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Santa Clarita
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Santa Clarita
2388
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Santa Clarita, 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%
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Santa Clarita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 24.7% | Santa Clarita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 16.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.0% | Santa Clarita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.9% | Santa Clarita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.9% | Santa Clarita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Santa Clarita
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Santa Clarita
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Clarita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Santa Clarita +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Clarita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Joliet +
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Santa Clarita, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 37.4 min | Joliet + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Santa Clarita. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.
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