Moving from Arvada, CO to Joliet, IL
It is 981 mi between Arvada and Joliet — roughly 17h 16m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
981 mi · 17h 16m by car · IL → IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 80, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arvada | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.1% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Arvada -2.5%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Arvada | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 75.5" | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.1" | 38.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 16.9 in of snowfall annually at Joliet.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WHEAT RIDGE 2, CO US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arvada | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $113,396 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.7% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.96 |
Joliet households earn about 2.1% less than Arvada at the median — $113,396 → $88,026 on ACS 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 Colorado 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Joliet averages 16.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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
Is Joliet more expensive than Arvada?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 2.1% lower than Arvada (103.595 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Arvada vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $113,396 in Arvada — a 22.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Arvada to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 981 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Arvada and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 50.3°F in Arvada (0.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 75.5 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 17.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Arvada?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $616,566 in Arvada — a 57.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Arvada?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $58,490 in the Arvada MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Joliet, IL from Arvada, CO?
The driving distance is 981 mi and the route typically takes 17h 16m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arvada.
City profiles: Arvada, CO · Joliet, IL.