Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carrollton, TX
VS
Joliet, IL
🏆 Carrollton leads 16 of 23 categories
Carrollton
Texas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,380 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
132,284
Joliet
Illinois
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$84,971
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.
Carrollton, TX
Pros
61% less violent crime than Joliet
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.5 pts lower (3.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (137.1 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 42.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 31°F
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $327,300
Higher rents — median is $1,555/mo
Joliet, IL
Pros
Homes cost $94k less ($233,800 vs $327,300)
Rent averages $381/mo less ($1,174 vs $1,555)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 94°F
Cons
Median income trails Carrollton by $10,409/yr
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 3.7%)
Longer commutes — 29.6 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Carrollton
Median Income
$10,409
$95,380 vs $84,971/yr
Carrollton
Violent Crime
61% lower
137.1 vs 350.0 per 100k
Carrollton
Unemployment
2.5 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.2% unemployment
Carrollton
Summer Heat
10.7°F warmer
July avg high 94.3°F vs 83.6°F
Joliet
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 102.6 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Joliet
Median Home Value
$94k less
$233,800 vs $327,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Joliet, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 102.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $327,300⚠ High | $233,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,555⚠ High | $1,174 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,380 ✓ Higher | $84,971 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 17.8% ✓ Higher | 6.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 47 ✓ Safer | 79 |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 36 ✓ Safer | 92 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 | 59 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.1% ✓ Higher | 24.9% |
| High School or Higher | 89.4% ✓ Higher | 84.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD | Joliet PSD 86 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F ✓ Warmer | 31.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer | 83.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.8" ✓ Drier | 40.2" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 16.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 132,284 | 150,221 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.6 ✓ Older | 34.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 72.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.9% | 26.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.9% ✓ More | 10.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrollton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Joliet's 102.6 (US average = 100).
Joliet is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Carrollton leads 16 of 23 categories. Carrollton wins 16 and Joliet wins 7. 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 Carrollton to Joliet or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,300 vs $233,800 median home), income ($95,380 vs $84,971), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carrollton, TX and Joliet, IL are about 760 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.