Moving from Joliet, IL to Brownsville, TX
It is 1386 mi between Joliet and Brownsville β roughly 26h 1m 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.
1386 mi Β· 26h 1m by car Β· TX β AR β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 59, I 55, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Corpus Christi, Sugar Land, Houston, Pasadena, Pearland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Expect about 17.0% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Brownsville at 85.975 vs Joliet at 103.595.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 17.0% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $259,875 to $195,993 moving to Brownsville.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Joliet | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | β |
Expect 24.0Β°F warmer on average per year β plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 3.21 |
Brownsville households earn about 17.0% less than Joliet at the median β $88,026 β $48,675 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Brownsville average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (24.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Brownsville, TX from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 1386 mi and the route typically takes 26h 1m via US 59 and I 55. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Brownsville more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 17.0% lower than Joliet (85.975 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $259,875 in Joliet β a 24.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1386 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 Brownsville compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $88,026 in Joliet β a 44.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL Β· Brownsville, TX.