Moving from Joliet, IL to Kansas City, KS
It is a 477 mi drive, roughly 8h 58m, between Joliet, IL and Kansas City, KS. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
477 mi · 8h 58m by car · KS → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 36, MO 110, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Overland Park, Olathe, Kansas City, Independence, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.7% moving from Joliet to Kansas City — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $259,875 in Joliet to $198,195 in Kansas City, a 10.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 38.1" |
Annual temperature rises 6.5°F moving to Kansas City per NOAA normals.
Expect 11.0 in of snow annually at the destination — manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.72 |
Kansas City households earn about 10.7% less than Joliet at the median — $88,026 → $59,183 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kansas City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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 Kansas City average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Kansas City, KS from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 477 mi and the route typically takes 8h 58m via US 36 and MO 110. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 23.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Kansas City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.9°F in Kansas City vs 50.4°F in Joliet (6.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 11.0 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 38.1 in vs 38.0 in.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 477 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 10.7% lower than Joliet (92.543 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 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 Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 32.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL · Kansas City, KS.