Moving from Allen, TX to Joliet, IL
A move from Allen, TX to Joliet, IL covers 860 mi and around 15h 58m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
860 mi Β· 15h 58m by car Β· IL β MO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 50, US 69 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Springfield, St Louis, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allen | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Joliet and Allen is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Joliet is 0.5% below Allen β $493,532 vs $259,875 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Allen -6.4%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Allen | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 38.0" |
Joliet is 14.6Β°F cooler on the annual average (65.0Β°F vs 50.4Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Joliet averages 16.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MCKINNEY MUNI AP, TX US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allen | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $129,130 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 38.5 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.6% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 2.96 |
Median household income in Joliet is 0.5% below Allen ($129,130 vs $88,026, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Joliet MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Joliet averages 16.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.6Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Allen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $493,532 in Allen β a 47.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Joliet, IL from Allen, TX?
The driving distance is 860 mi and the route typically takes 15h 58m via I 44 and US 50. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Allen vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $129,130 in Allen β a 31.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Joliet more expensive than Allen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 0.5% higher than Allen (103.595 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Allen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $48,440 in the Allen MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Allen to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 860 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allen.
City profiles: Allen, TX Β· Joliet, IL.