Joliet IL vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 146,211 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 12.1% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 51.9% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 10.3% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $45,845 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $27,570 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 7.4% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 29.6% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 41.3% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Syracuse
41.5%
Syracuse +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 41.5% | Syracuse + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 20.8% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.1% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 41.5 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Syracuse scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.5%.
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