Joliet IL vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Tulsa
3.5%
Tulsa +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Tulsa
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.5 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 11.9% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 17.0% | 14.2% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.5% | Tulsa + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 19.2% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $58,407 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $57,929 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.1% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 18.6% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Tulsa
52.0%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 52.0% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 429 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2375 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Tulsa
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.8% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 18.8% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.4% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.3% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 60.8°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 41.0 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Tulsa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tulsa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tulsa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Tulsa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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