Living in Joliet, IL

Joliet is the 180th-largest city in the US, home to about 152,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (103.6 on an index where the US is 100).

Population, 2025

152,241+1.2% since 2020

Median home value

$265,8002.9 years of median income

Median rent

$1,276/morent plus utilities

Household income

$92,201median, per year

Price level

103.6US average = 100

January / July highs

31° / 84°lows 17° / 64°

Average commute

29 min9% work from home

State income tax

4.95%top rate, flat

Cost of living in Joliet

The median home in Joliet is worth $265,800 and the median household earns $92,201 a year, so a typical home costs about 2.9 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,276 a month, about 17% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area at 103.6, with housing at 112.0 and goods at 107.3 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $77,700 here. Illinois taxes wages at a top rate of 4.95% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Illinois is 8.98%.

All items103.6

Housing112.0

Goods107.3

Utilities83.6

Other services100.5

What would my salary be worth in Joliet?

Joliet weather

Average highs run from 31°F in January to 84°F in July, and January nights average 17°F. It gets 38 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 17 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 126 times a year. The most comfortable months are June and August to October.

Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Joliet

People and work

The median resident is 35.8 years old, and 26% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 74% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 29 minutes; 9% of workers work from home.

Median age

35.8232nd youngest of 546

Bachelor's or higher

26%adults 25+

Homeowners

74%of households

People per sq mile

2,29766.3 sq mi of land

Take transit to work

1%1% walk, 0.1% bike

Unemployment

5.5%2020-2024 average

Poverty rate

11.1%of residents

Typical home built

1985median year

Who moves to Joliet, and where people go

From farther away, newcomers most often come from Phoenix (Maricopa County), Los Angeles (Los Angeles County) and Houston (Harris County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Phoenix (Maricopa County), Cape Coral (Lee County) and Houston (Harris County). See the map and full lists

IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.

Natural hazards, home prices and air quality

FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.

Parks and sights near Joliet

The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.

• Art Institute of Chicago Museum 33 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Rate Field 30 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Field Museum of Natural History Museum 33 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Museum 31 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, West Asia & North Africa Museum 30 miles
  BeenWant to go
• University of Chicago 30 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Adler Planetarium Museum 33 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Shedd Aquarium Aquarium 33 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Barack Obama Presidential Center Museum 30 miles
  BeenWant to go
• University of Illinois Chicago 32 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Hull House Museum 32 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago Museum 34 miles
  BeenWant to go

Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.

Airports near Joliet

Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.

Colleges in and near Joliet

US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.

Frost dates and fall color in Joliet

Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 19, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 15 and the first frost comes around October 25.

NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Joliet Brandon Rd Dam, IL, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Joliet.

Wildfire smoke in Joliet

From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Joliet on about 136 days a year, including about 35 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.

NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.

Home internet in Joliet

Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 51,055 households. Compare every city.

Public schools in Joliet

Downtown Joliet is in these districts. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.

Other districts within 10 miles: Plainfield School District 202 (24,556 students), Valley View Community Unit School District 365U (14,710 students), Consolidated High School District 230 (7,613 students), Lincoln Way Community High School District 210 (6,734 students), Orland School District 135 (5,186 students), New Lenox School District 122 (4,956 students).

National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.

Joliet's twin cities

Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Joliet's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).

• Sterling Heights, MI81% matchCompare
• Southfield, MI79% matchCompare
• New Britain, CT78% matchCompare
• Dearborn, MI78% matchCompare

Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler

Stargazing near Joliet

The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:

• Homer Glen International Dark Sky Community 8 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Beverly Shores International Dark Sky Community 56 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Middle Fork River Forest Preserve International Dark Sky Park 79 miles
  BeenWant to go

Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.

Ski resorts near Joliet

• Wilmot Mountain 68 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Alpine Valley Resort 86 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Little Switzerland 126 miles
  BeenWant to go
• Timber Ridge Ski Area 131 miles
  BeenWant to go

Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.

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Pros and cons of living in Joliet

Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.

Pros

• Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 2.9 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.

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Cons

• Data Air quality is a concern: 32 days in 2025 were unhealthy at least for sensitive groups (EPA).

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Joliet report card from locals

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Cities near Joliet

Straight-line distance between city centers.

Joliet ranks 87th of 177 in our best suburbs of Chicago ranking.

Cities with a similar profile

Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Joliet a good place to live?

It depends on what you need. The numbers show homes that cost under four years of median income. Compare Joliet side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.

What is the population of Joliet?

The Census Bureau estimates Joliet had 152,241 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 150,503 in April 2020 (+1.2%).

How much do you need to earn to live in Joliet?

Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $77,700 in the Joliet area. The median household here earns $92,201.

When is the best time to visit Joliet?

By the 1991-2020 climate normals, June and August to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 84°F and January 31°F for daytime highs.

What county is Joliet in?

Most of Joliet (86% of its land) is in Will County. Smaller parts lie in Kendall County. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.

What time zone is Joliet in?

Joliet is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).

What is the elevation of Joliet?

About 541 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.

Does Illinois have a state income tax?

Yes. Illinois has a flat income tax with a top rate of 4.95% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.

Sources

Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Joliet. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Joliet Brandon Rd Dam, IL station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.