Joliet IL vs Spokane Valley WA — 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Spokane Valley
37.6
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 105,460 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 37.6 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 5.1% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 17.0% | 1.4% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.7% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 7.5% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Spokane Valley +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $70,722 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $35,235 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Spokane Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 12.9% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 24.8% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Spokane Valley
57.5%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $414,734 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 57.5% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Spokane Valley
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 383 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3409 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Spokane Valley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Spokane Valley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Spokane Valley +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Spokane Valley
12.4%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 35.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.1% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 17.2% | Spokane Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.4% | Spokane Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane Valley + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
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 383 in Spokane Valley. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane Valley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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