Moving from Joliet, IL to Norman, OK
Relocating 776 mi from Joliet to Norman is a 14h 10m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
776 mi · 14h 10m by car · IL → MO → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → MO → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 50, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Springfield, St Louis, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Norman | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 12.7% cheaper overall in Norman than Joliet on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Joliet to Norman — $259,875 vs $262,839 (2026-03).
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Norman +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 4.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 37.7" |
Expect 10.3°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Light snow year: Norman gets around 4.1 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, NORMAN 3SSE, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 128,714 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $65,060 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 31.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.5 |
Expect median household income to fall 12.7% — $88,026 → $65,060 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norman MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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 Norman average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.3°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Norman, OK from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 776 mi and the route typically takes 14h 10m via I 44 and US 50. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Norman?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.7°F in Norman vs 50.4°F in Joliet (10.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 4.1 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 37.7 in vs 38.0 in.
How does the job market in Norman compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Norman MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 656,800 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 Norman?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,060 in Norman vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 26.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Norman?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 776 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Norman compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,839 in Norman vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 1.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Norman more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norman is 12.7% lower than Joliet (90.408 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 · Norman, OK.