Joliet, IL vs Merced, CA
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
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Joliet leads in crime level (9.6 vs 21.5). Joliet leads in median household income ($84,971 vs $59,233). Merced leads in walk score (42 vs 35).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75.7 (#425) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 150,489 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $271,896 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $84,971 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 29.6 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 42 |
| Crime Level | 9.6 | 21.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+1.6 | R+4.4 |
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
64.3 Score
Merced, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$397,570
Population
93,692
Crime
High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Merced, CA →