Joliet IL vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 135,806 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 38.2 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 52.7% | 49.1% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 28.1% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $708,498 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 47.5% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 52.3°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 53.2 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Stamford
30.1 min
Stamford +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 30.1 min | Stamford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while joliet offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,637. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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