Moving from Joliet, IL to Elgin, IL
The 55 mi from Joliet to Elgin translate to about 1h 19m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
55 mi · 1h 19m by car · IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 355, I 55, US 20 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Joliet (103.595) and Elgin (103.595) 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 Elgin: 0.0% above Joliet on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 39.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 32.1 in of snowfall annually at Elgin.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.94 |
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 Elgin 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.
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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Elgin averages 32.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 26.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 0.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Elgin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.0°F in Elgin vs 50.4°F in Joliet (1.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.1 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 38.0 in.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Elgin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 55 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Elgin, IL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 55 mi and the route typically takes 1h 19m via I 355 and I 55. The trip crosses 1 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 · Elgin, IL.