Joliet IL vs Savannah GA — 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%
Savannah, GA
Georgia · Population: 147,546
- Median HH Income$56,782
- Median Home Price$326,132
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+32.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Savannah
147,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Savannah
6.7%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Savannah
2.9%
Savannah +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 147,546 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 6.7% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 37.2% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.9% | Savannah + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 7.1% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Savannah
$56,782
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Savannah
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Savannah
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $56,782 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $32,004 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $57,405 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.7% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 19.5% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 32.0% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $326,132 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 44.4% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Savannah
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 392 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1752 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Savannah
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Savannah
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Savannah
13.8%
Savannah +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Savannah
15.6%
Savannah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Savannah
14.7%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.6% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.5% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.8% | Savannah + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.6% | Savannah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.7% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 66.8°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 48.0 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Savannah
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
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 392 in Savannah. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Joliet has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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