Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Joliet, IL
🏆 Ann Arbor leads 12 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$78,546
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216
Joliet
Illinois
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$84,971 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
92
Population
150,221 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
14% less violent crime than Joliet
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (3.7%)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Joliet
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $416,500
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Median income trails Joliet by $6,425/yr
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Joliet, IL
Pros
Homes cost $183k less ($233,800 vs $416,500)
Rent averages $298/mo less ($1,174 vs $1,472)
Households earn $6,425 more per year on average
Cons
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 3.7%)
Longer commutes — 29.6 min average each way
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Ann Arbor
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
14% lower
302.5 vs 350.0 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.2% unemployment
Joliet
Median Income
$6,425
$84,971 vs $78,546/yr
Joliet
Median Home Value
$183k less
$233,800 vs $416,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Joliet, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper | 102.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High | $233,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High | $1,174 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 | $84,971 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 6.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 | 79 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 92 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 | 59 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 14.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 24.9% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 84.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Joliet PSD 86 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F ✓ Warmer | 31.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F ✓ Warmer | 83.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" ✓ Drier | 40.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 16.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 150,221 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 34.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 72.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 26.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% ✓ More | 10.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Joliet's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Ann Arbor is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Ann Arbor leads 12 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 12 and Joliet wins 11. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Ann Arbor to Joliet or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $233,800 median home), income ($78,546 vs $84,971), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Joliet, IL are about 233 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.