Moving from Joliet, IL to Philadelphia, PA
A move from Joliet, IL to Philadelphia, PA covers 772 mi and around 14h 20m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
772 mi · 14h 20m by car · PA → OH → IN → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | PA → OH → IN → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 76, I 80, PATP |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Philadelphia | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 102.554 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 114.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 96.833 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 113.141 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Philadelphia 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 value in Philadelphia is 1.0% below Joliet ($231,815 vs $259,875 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Philadelphia +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 89°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 16.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 50.7" |
Philadelphia runs 7.3°F warmer on the annual average (50.4°F vs 57.7°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 1,582,432 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $60,698 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 19.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.36 |
Median household income in Philadelphia is 1.0% below Joliet ($88,026 vs $60,698, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Philadelphia MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 352,560 | $46,660 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 252,940 | $41,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 228,980 | $36,650 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 223,850 | $31,100 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 200,320 | $86,620 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Pennsylvania
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Pennsylvania'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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Philadelphia averages 16.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Pack rain gear on top: Philadelphia averages 50.7 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Pennsylvania after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Philadelphia more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Philadelphia is 1.0% lower than Joliet (102.554 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Philadelphia compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 2,829,560 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 Philadelphia?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,698 in Philadelphia vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 31.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Philadelphia compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $231,815 in Philadelphia vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 10.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Philadelphia?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 772 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Philadelphia, PA from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 772 mi and the route typically takes 14h 20m via I 76 and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Philadelphia?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Philadelphia vs 50.4°F in Joliet (7.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 16.1 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 50.7 in vs 38.0 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL · Philadelphia, PA.