Gardner, MA vs Joliet, IL
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Gardner
66.9
#1484 nationally
Joliet
75.7
#425 nationally
Joliet leads in median household income ($84,971 vs $56,974). Gardner leads in walk score (39 vs 35). Joliet leads in average commute (29.6 min vs 31.7 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gardner, MA | Joliet, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.9 (#1484) | 75.7 (#425) |
| Population | 20,974 | 150,489 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $379,602 | $271,896 |
| Median Household Income | $56,974 | $84,971 |
| Average Commute | 31.7 min | 29.6 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 35 |
| Crime Level | 9.0 | 9.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 109 | 102 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+10.0 | D+1.6 |
D
66.9 Score
Gardner, MA
Small Massachusetts city with local appeal
Median Home
$379,602
Population
20,974
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
39
Northeast
View Gardner, MA →
C
75.7 Score
Joliet, IL
Mid-size Illinois city with community character
Median Home
$271,896
Population
150,489
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
35
Midwest
View Joliet, IL →