Moving from Joliet, IL to Evansville, IN
Moving from Joliet, IL to Evansville, IN covers 291 mi and about 6h 25m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
291 mi · 6h 25m by car · IL → IN
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 41, SR 63, US 52 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Evansville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 91.528 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 86.717 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 94.318 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 66.735 | 100.0 |
Evansville is 11.6% cheaper than Joliet overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Evansville is 11.6% below Joliet — $259,875 vs $198,977 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Evansville +3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Evansville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 27°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 47.8" |
Evansville runs 8.7°F warmer on the annual average (50.4°F vs 59.1°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, EVANSVILLE MUSEUM, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Evansville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 116,441 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $52,251 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.23 |
Median household income in Evansville is 11.6% below Joliet ($88,026 vs $52,251, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Evansville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 17,860 | $38,480 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 16,890 | $36,600 |
| Production Occupations | 14,790 | $42,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,900 | $27,390 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 13,580 | $31,810 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Indiana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Indiana'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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Evansville compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,930 in the Evansville MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 152,180 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 Evansville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $52,251 in Evansville vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 40.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Evansville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 291 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Evansville compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,977 in Evansville vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 23.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Evansville, IN from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 291 mi and the route typically takes 6h 25m via US 41 and SR 63. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Evansville more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Evansville is 11.6% lower than Joliet (91.528 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL · Evansville, IN.