Moving from Centennial, CO to Joliet, IL
It is 989 mi between Centennial and Joliet β roughly 17h 26m 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.
989 mi Β· 17h 26m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β 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
| Centennial | 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 |
Centennial and Joliet sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $649,086 in Centennial to $259,875 in Joliet, a 2.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Centennial | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 38.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.2Β°F vs 50.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Joliet sees 16.9 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENVER CENTENNIAL AP, CO US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Centennial | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,386 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $128,167 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.96 |
Joliet households earn about 2.1% less than Centennial at the median β $128,167 β $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 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.
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 β 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 β 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
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Centennial?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $649,086 in Centennial β a 60.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Centennial to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% 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 β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Centennial?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial 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 does household income compare in Centennial vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $128,167 in Centennial β a 31.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Joliet more expensive than Centennial?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 2.1% lower than Centennial (103.595 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Joliet, IL from Centennial, CO?
The driving distance is 989 mi and the route typically takes 17h 26m 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 Centennial.
City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Joliet, IL.