Joliet IL vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 119,508 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 40.2 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 52.7% | 44.0% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 24.6% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $69,261 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 14.8% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $399,650 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 50.2% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Joliet +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.7% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.9% | Joliet + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 75.4°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 62.3 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
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, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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