Moving from Joliet, IL to Huntsville, AL
It is 591 mi between Joliet and Huntsville — roughly 11h 14m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
591 mi · 11h 14m by car · AL → TN → KY → IN → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → TN → KY → IN → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 80, AL 53 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Chicago, Naperville, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Huntsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 93.072 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 83.931 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 77.946 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 10.2% cheaper overall in Huntsville than Joliet on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 10.2% above Joliet — $259,875 → $287,569 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Huntsville +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 33°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 2.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 54.3" |
Annual temperature rises 12.5°F moving to Huntsville per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Huntsville gets around 2.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 218,814 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $70,778 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 26.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.33 |
Households in Huntsville earn about 10.2% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Huntsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 23,600 | $39,750 |
| Production Occupations | 22,310 | $44,450 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 21,530 | $38,160 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 20,460 | $94,520 |
| Architecture and Engineering Occupations | 19,870 | $107,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Huntsville average 92°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: Huntsville averages 54.3 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.5°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Huntsville compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $287,569 in Huntsville vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 10.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Huntsville, AL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 591 mi and the route typically takes 11h 14m via I 65 and I 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Huntsville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 62.9°F in Huntsville vs 50.4°F in Joliet (12.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.4 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 54.3 in vs 38.0 in.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Huntsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 591 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Huntsville more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Huntsville is 10.2% lower than Joliet (93.072 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Huntsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,778 in Huntsville vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 19.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Huntsville compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 250,940 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL · Huntsville, AL.