Joliet IL vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 52.7% | 30.4% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 1.5% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 16.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $2,144,024 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 43.8% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sunnyvale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 503 in Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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