Joliet IL vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 36.6 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 6.6% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 45.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 5.1% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $55,279 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,527 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 19.8% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 45.4% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Joliet, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 501 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2418 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
St. Louis
17.9%
St. Louis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.2% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.8% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 17.9% | St. Louis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.8% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | St. Louis, MO | 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
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
St. Louis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Louis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and St. Louis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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