Moving from El Paso, TX to Joliet, IL
It is 1418 mi between El Paso and Joliet — roughly 26h 5m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1418 mi · 26h 5m by car · TX → NM → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 55, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Amarillo, Oklahoma City, Norman, Tulsa, Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Paso | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Joliet runs about 15.2% more expensive overall than El Paso — RPP 89.912 → 103.595.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Joliet run about 15.2% pricier — ZHVI $234,775 → $259,875 (2026-03).
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Paso | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 38.0" |
Annual average temperature drops 15.8°F — 66.2°F in El Paso vs 50.4°F in Joliet, 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: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 2.96 |
Joliet households earn about 15.2% more than El Paso at the median — $58,734 → $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 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 — 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.8°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 El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $234,775 in El Paso — a 10.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from El Paso 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 1418 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in El Paso vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $58,734 in El Paso — a 49.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Joliet more expensive than El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 15.2% higher than El Paso (103.595 vs 89.912, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between El Paso and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 66.2°F in El Paso (15.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 2.8 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 8.8 in.
How far is Joliet, IL from El Paso, TX?
The driving distance is 1418 mi and the route typically takes 26h 5m via I 44 and I 55. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to El Paso?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $36,000 in the El Paso MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 323,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX · Joliet, IL.