Moving from Joliet, IL to Aurora, CO
A move from Joliet, IL to Aurora, CO covers 975 mi and around 17h 5m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
975 mi Β· 17h 5m by car Β· CO β NE β IA β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β NE β IA β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, E470 |
| Major cities en route | Lakewood, Centennial, Denver, Arvada, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Aurora | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Aurora and Joliet is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Aurora is 2.1% above Joliet β $259,875 vs $463,081 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Aurora -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Joliet | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Joliet (50.4Β°F) and Aurora (50.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, CHERRY CREEK DAM, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 390,201 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $84,320 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 21.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.73 |
Median household incomes in Joliet ($88,026) and Aurora ($84,320) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Aurora MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Aurora average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Aurora?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 975 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Aurora?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,320 in Aurora vs $88,026 in Joliet β a 4.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Aurora compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $463,081 in Aurora vs $259,875 in Joliet β a 78.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Aurora, CO from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 975 mi and the route typically takes 17h 5m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Aurora more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Aurora is 2.1% higher than Joliet (105.782 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Aurora compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Aurora MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 4,506,800 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 Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL Β· Aurora, CO.