Joliet IL vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Joliet
52.7%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 52.7% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 17.0% | 12.1% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 24.9% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Joliet +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Joliet +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $67,544 | Joliet + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.4% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 19.8% | Joliet + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $435,532 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 42.4% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 19.9% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.5% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Joliet +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | 48.1 in | Joliet + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
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, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Joliet. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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