Joliet IL vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Washington
13.3%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 13.3% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 39.1% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 11.6% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.5% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 14.5% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $580,173 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 41.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Joliet +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 24.0% | Joliet + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Joliet +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 32.8 min | Joliet + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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