Joliet, IL vs Laurel, MD
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.
Joliet
75.7
#425 nationally
Laurel
66.4
#1547 nationally
Laurel leads in walk score (53 vs 35). Joliet leads in cost of living index (102 vs 125). Joliet leads in average commute (29.6 min vs 33.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Laurel, MD |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75.7 (#425) | 66.4 (#1547) |
| Population | 150,489 | 29,400 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $271,896 | $478,130 |
| Median Household Income | $84,971 | $92,035 |
| Average Commute | 29.6 min | 33.5 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 53 |
| Crime Level | 9.6 | 10.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 125 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+1.6 | D+13.9 |
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 →
D
66.4 Score
Laurel, MD
Small Maryland city with local appeal
Median Home
$478,130
Population
29,400
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Northeast
View Laurel, MD →