Moving from Joliet, IL to Rockford, IL
Relocating between Joliet, IL and Rockford, IL is a 92 mi drive — 2h 3m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
92 mi · 2h 3m by car · IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 88, IL 110, I 39 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Aurora, Elgin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Rockford | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 92.154 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 89.378 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 70.076 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 11.0% moving from Joliet to Rockford — 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 $177,225 in Rockford, a 11.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Rockford +9.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 15°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 37.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 37.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.4°F vs 49.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Rockford sees 37.1 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Rockford |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 147,649 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $53,328 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 14.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.4 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.0% — $88,026 → $53,328 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rockford MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 17,580 | $41,900 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 16,500 | $41,140 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,320 | $41,130 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 12,130 | $30,050 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,300 | $34,130 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Rockford averages 37.1 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.
Frequently asked
Is Rockford more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rockford is 11.0% lower than Joliet (92.154 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Rockford?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 92 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Rockford compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,810 in the Rockford MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 138,920 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 Rockford?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,328 in Rockford vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 39.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Rockford?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.4°F in Rockford vs 50.4°F in Joliet (1.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 37.1 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 37.2 in vs 38.0 in.
How much do homes cost in Rockford compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $177,225 in Rockford vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 31.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Rockford, IL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 92 mi and the route typically takes 2h 3m via I 88 and IL 110. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL · Rockford, IL.