Joliet IL vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Joliet
52.7%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
South Bend
17.3%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 102,866 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 8.9% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 17.0% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.7% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 17.3% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $52,512 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $29,511 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,697 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.0% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 22.6% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 58.8% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 370 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.2% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 20.3% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 18.2% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 38.0 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. 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, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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