Joliet IL vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 37.5 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 13.6% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 17.0% | 3.1% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 17.2% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Vancouver
$78,156
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Vancouver
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $78,156 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 11.1% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $510,577 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 49.9% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Vancouver
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 383 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3409 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 19.1% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 52.1°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 41.6 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, 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 383 in Vancouver. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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