Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Joliet, IL
VS
Round Rock, TX
🏆 Round Rock leads 16 of 23 categories
Joliet
Illinois
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$84,971
Violent Crime Index
92
Population
150,221 ✓ Larger
Round Rock
Texas
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$91,888 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
34 ✓ Safer
Population
120,465
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Joliet, IL
Pros
Homes cost $104k less ($233,800 vs $337,500)
Rent averages $412/mo less ($1,174 vs $1,586)
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 96°F
Cons
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 3.8%)
Longer commutes — 29.6 min average each way
Median income trails Round Rock by $6,917/yr
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Round Rock
Round Rock, TX
Pros
63% less violent crime than Joliet
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.4 pts lower (3.8%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (130.7 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 42.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 31°F
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $337,500
Higher rents — median is $1,586/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Joliet
Median Home Value
$104k less
$233,800 vs $337,500
Round Rock
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 97.6 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Round Rock
Median Income
$6,917
$91,888 vs $84,971/yr
Round Rock
Violent Crime
63% lower
130.7 vs 350.0 per 100k
Round Rock
Unemployment
2.4 pp lower
3.8% vs 6.2% unemployment
Round Rock
Summer Heat
12.1°F warmer
July avg high 95.7°F vs 83.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Round Rock, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 97.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $233,800 ✓ Lower | $337,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,174 ✓ Lower | $1,586⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $84,971 | $91,888 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2%⚠ High | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.6 min⚠ High | 25.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.6% | 19.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 79 | 58 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 | 34 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 59 ✓ Safer | 92 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A- (115) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.2:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.9% | 42.3% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 84.8% | 93.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Joliet PSD 86 | ROUND ROCK ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.1°F | 59.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.6°F | 95.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.2" | 36.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 16.9" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 150,221 ✓ Larger | 120,465 |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.4% ✓ Higher | 55.6% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 25.0% |
| Over 65 | 10.2% | 10.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Joliet's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Round Rock's 97.6 (US average = 100).
Round Rock is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Round Rock leads 16 of 23 categories. Joliet wins 7 and Round Rock wins 16. 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 Joliet to Round Rock or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($233,800 vs $337,500 median home), income ($84,971 vs $91,888), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Joliet, IL and Round Rock, TX are about 926 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.