Joliet IL vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 126,103 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 38.2 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 5.3% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 17.0% | 9.7% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.8% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 16.9% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $55,902 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $33,290 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $61,860 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 15.6% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 59.2% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 449 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2174 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.1% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.9% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 54.5°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 39.0 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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