Moving from Boulder, CO to Joliet, IL
Relocating 989 mi from Boulder to Joliet is a 17h 25m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
989 mi · 17h 25m 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
| Boulder | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Boulder and Joliet sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $964,531 in Boulder to $259,875 in Joliet, a 1.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boulder | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 38.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 51.5°F vs 50.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Joliet sees 16.9 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.96 |
Household income lines up — $85,364 vs $88,026 on 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 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 Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 1.5% lower than Boulder (103.595 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Boulder and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 51.5°F in Boulder (1.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 92.8 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 21.2 in.
How far is Joliet, IL from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 989 mi and the route typically takes 17h 25m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Boulder vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $85,364 in Boulder — a 3.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Boulder?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $64,750 in the Boulder MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 194,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $964,531 in Boulder — a 73.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Boulder 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 989 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO · Joliet, IL.