Joliet IL vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.6 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 10.7% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 48.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 17.0% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 17.9% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Joliet +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Joliet +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $57,673 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $35,074 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Joliet + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 5.9% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 17.9% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $419,326 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 54.6% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Wilmington, NC | 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%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 63.8°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 58.4 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
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 398 in Wilmington. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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