Moving from Joliet, IL to Houston, TX
The drive from Joliet, IL to Houston, TX runs 1036 mi — about 19h 9m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1036 mi · 19h 9m by car · TX → AR → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 67, US 59 |
| Major cities en route | Pearland, Sugar Land, Pasadena, League City, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Houston and Joliet is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Joliet and Houston are within 5% of each other ($259,875 vs $264,336 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 54.1" |
Houston runs 20.2°F warmer on the annual average (50.4°F vs 70.6°F) — a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Houston gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.51 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 4.8% between Joliet and Houston (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 — 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Houston average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (20.2°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
Is Houston more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 4.8% lower than Joliet (98.629 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 50.4°F in Joliet (20.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 38.0 in.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 28.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 1.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Houston, TX from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 1036 mi and the route typically takes 19h 9m via I 55 and US 67. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1036 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL · Houston, TX.