Moving from Joliet, IL to Lakewood, CO
The drive from Joliet, IL to Lakewood, CO runs 983 mi β about 17h 19m 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.
983 mi Β· 17h 19m by car Β· CO β NE β IA β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β NE β IA β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Arvada, Boulder, Westminster, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Lakewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Lakewood and Joliet is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Lakewood is 2.1% above Joliet β $259,875 vs $573,913 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Lakewood -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Joliet | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 58.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 17.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Joliet (50.4Β°F) and Lakewood (50.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Lakewood averages 58.0 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, LAKEWOOD, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Lakewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 156,309 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $85,789 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.26 |
Median household incomes in Joliet ($88,026) and Lakewood ($85,789) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lakewood MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate β Lakewood averages 58.0 in annually vs 16.9 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Lakewood, CO from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 983 mi and the route typically takes 17h 19m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Lakewood compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Lakewood more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lakewood is 2.1% higher than Joliet (105.782 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Lakewood compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $573,913 in Lakewood vs $259,875 in Joliet β a 120.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Lakewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,789 in Lakewood vs $88,026 in Joliet β a 2.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Lakewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 983 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Β· Lakewood, CO.