Joliet IL vs St. Petersburg FL — 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. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Joliet
52.7%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
St. Petersburg
3.1%
St. Petersburg +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 43.1 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 10.1% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 17.0% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 9.3% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
St. Petersburg
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $73,118 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 11.7% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
St. Petersburg
63.0%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $331,500 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 63.0% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
St. Petersburg
11.1%
St. Petersburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.2% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | 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. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 26.8 min | St. Petersburg + |
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, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
Compare More Cities
Joliet, IL vs New York, NYJoliet, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Joliet, ILHouston, TX vs Joliet, ILJoliet, IL vs Phoenix, AZJoliet, IL vs Philadelphia, PA