Joliet IL vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Waco
9.8%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Joliet +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 141,925 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 9.8% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 17.0% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.0% | Joliet + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 29.9% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $51,468 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $28,819 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 24.0% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 48.9% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.0% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 20.4% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 20.4% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.1% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 66.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Joliet leads in median household income at $88,026, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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