Joliet IL vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 133,473 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 41.5 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 52.7% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 17.0% | 6.6% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 2.4% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $78,429 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,052 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.2% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $309,742 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 471 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.3% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | 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
Joliet +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
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 471 in Sterling Heights. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Joliet has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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