Moving from Fargo, ND to Joliet, IL
It is 659 mi between Fargo and Joliet β roughly 12h 20m 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.
659 mi Β· 12h 20m by car Β· IL β WI β MN β ND
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β WI β MN β ND |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 90, I 39 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Aurora, Elgin, Rockford, Madison |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fargo | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.871 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.324 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.654 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 81.142 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 14.0% above Fargo β 90.871 β 103.595 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 14.0% under Fargo β $314,973 β $259,875 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Fargo +4.2%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fargo | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 41Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | -2Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 38.0" |
Annual temperature rises 9.0Β°F moving to Joliet per NOAA normals.
Heavy-snow city: expect 16.9 in of snowfall annually at Joliet.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FARGO 3S, ND US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fargo | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $66,029 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.96 |
Joliet households earn about 14.0% more than Fargo at the median β $66,029 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 North Dakota 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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
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 does the job market in Joliet compare to Fargo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $48,110 in the Fargo MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 145,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Fargo vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $66,029 in Fargo β a 33.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Joliet, IL from Fargo, ND?
The driving distance is 659 mi and the route typically takes 12h 20m via I 94 and I 90. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fargo to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 659 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Joliet more expensive than Fargo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 14.0% higher than Fargo (103.595 vs 90.871, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Fargo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $314,973 in Fargo β a 17.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fargo.
City profiles: Fargo, ND Β· Joliet, IL.