Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Joliet, IL
VS
Springfield, MO
🏆 Springfield leads 15 of 23 categories
Joliet
Illinois
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$84,971 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
92 ✓ Safer
Population
150,221
Springfield
Missouri
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,450
Violent Crime Index
310⚠ High
Population
168,873 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Joliet, IL
Pros
Households earn $41,521 more per year on average
70% less violent crime than Springfield
Cons
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Springfield
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 4.8%)
Longer commutes — 29.6 min average each way
Springfield, MO
Pros
Homes cost $87k less ($146,400 vs $233,800)
Rent averages $296/mo less ($878 vs $1,174)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (4.8%)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Joliet
Milder winters — January highs near 43°F vs 31°F
Cons
Median income trails Joliet by $41,521/yr
Violent crime (1178.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4184.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Joliet
Median Income
$41,521
$84,971 vs $43,450/yr
Joliet
Violent Crime
70% lower
350.0 vs 1178.1 per 100k
Springfield
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$87k less
$146,400 vs $233,800
Springfield
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
4.8% vs 6.2% unemployment
Springfield
Summer Heat
4.6°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 83.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Springfield, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $233,800 | $146,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,174 | $878 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $84,971 ✓ Higher | $43,450 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.6 min⚠ High | 18.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.6% | 7.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 79 ✓ Safer | 266⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 92 ✓ Safer | 310⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 59 ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B+ (105) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.2:1 | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.9% | 30.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 84.8% | 91.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Joliet PSD 86 | SPRINGFIELD R-XII |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.1°F | 43.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.6°F | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.2" ✓ Drier | 46.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 16.9" | 13.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 150,221 | 168,873 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.3 ✓ Older | 33.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.4% ✓ Higher | 42.3% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 17.4% |
| Over 65 | 10.2% | 15.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Joliet's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Springfield's 89.3 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 15 of 23 categories. Joliet wins 8 and Springfield wins 15. 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 Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($233,800 vs $146,400 median home), income ($84,971 vs $43,450), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Joliet, IL and Springfield, MO are about 406 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.