Moving from Joliet, IL to Denver, CO
A move from Joliet, IL to Denver, CO covers 974 mi and around 17h 8m 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.
974 mi · 17h 8m by car · CO → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, US 6 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Denver | 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 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Joliet (103.595) and Denver (105.782) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Denver: 2.1% above Joliet on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Denver -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 15.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 49.0 in of snowfall annually at Denver.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 713,734 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $91,681 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 33.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.17 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denver 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 — 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Denver averages 49.0 in annually vs 16.9 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Denver average 90°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
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Denver?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,681 in Denver vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 4.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Denver compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Denver 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.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Denver?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 974 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Denver compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $539,666 in Denver vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 107.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Denver more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denver is 2.1% higher than Joliet (105.782 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Denver?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 51.4°F in Denver vs 50.4°F in Joliet (1.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 49.0 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 15.4 in vs 38.0 in.
How far is Denver, CO from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 974 mi and the route typically takes 17h 8m via I 80 and I 76. 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 Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL · Denver, CO.