Joliet IL vs Spokane 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, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 37.2 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 6.1% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 17.0% | 2.7% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 7.8% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $65,745 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.0% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 14.6% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $400,636 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 58.3% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Spokane
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Spokane, 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
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Spokane
17.5%
Spokane +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.6% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 17.5% | Spokane + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
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. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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