Joliet, IL vs Monterey, 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
Monterey
62.7
#1834 nationally
Joliet leads in cost of living index (102 vs 192). Monterey leads in average commute (19.1 min vs 29.6 min). Monterey leads in walk score (53 vs 35).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Monterey, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75.7 (#425) | 62.7 (#1834) |
| Population | 150,489 | 29,116 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $271,896 | $1,179,065 |
| Median Household Income | $84,971 | $98,003 |
| Average Commute | 29.6 min | 19.1 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 53 |
| Crime Level | 9.6 | 10.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 192 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+1.6 | D+29.9 |
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-
62.7 Score
Monterey, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,179,065
Population
29,116
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View Monterey, CA →