Joliet IL vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 49.2 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 11.2% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 17.0% | 2.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 9.4% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Scottsdale
67.6%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $858,307 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 67.6% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 450 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2150 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 72.5°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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