Joliet IL vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Toledo
35.7
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Toledo
58.7%
Toledo +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.7 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 3.4% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 58.7% | Toledo + |
| Black | 17.0% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.4% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 8.9% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Joliet +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $47,532 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $27,407 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,300 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 8.5% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 24.5% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 21.0% | Joliet + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Toledo
52.7%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Toledo
1866
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1866 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Toledo
39.3%
Toledo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Toledo
11.3%
Toledo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 39.3% | Toledo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 20.6% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.3% | Toledo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 19.9% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Toledo
50.6°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 50.6°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Joliet +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Joliet + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. 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, Toledo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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