Columbus, OH 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.
Columbus
76.5
#341 nationally
Joliet
75.7
#425 nationally
Joliet leads in median household income ($84,971 vs $62,889). Columbus leads in average commute (23.1 min vs 29.6 min). Columbus leads in walk score (41 vs 35).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Joliet, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 76.5 (#341) | 75.7 (#425) |
| Population | 913,175 | 150,489 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $248,686 | $271,896 |
| Median Household Income | $62,889 | $84,971 |
| Average Commute | 23.1 min | 29.6 min |
| Walk Score | 41 | 35 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 9.6 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 102 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+28.4 | D+1.6 |
C
76.5 Score
Columbus, OH
Ohio's capital city on the rise
Median Home
$248,686
Population
913,175
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Midwest
View Columbus, OH →
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 →