Moving from Joliet, IL to South Bend, IN
Moving from Joliet, IL to South Bend, IN covers 103 mi and about 2h 18m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
103 mi Β· 2h 18m by car Β· IL β IN
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, SR 2, US 20 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | South Bend | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 92.858 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 87.733 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 94.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 74.586 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 103.595 to 92.858, putting South Bend roughly 10.4% below Joliet on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in South Bend: 10.4% below Joliet on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, South Bend +4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Joliet | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 40.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, S BEND, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | South Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 102,866 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $52,512 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.5 |
Median household income in South Bend is 10.4% below Joliet ($88,026 vs $52,512, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in South Bend MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,450 | $40,720 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 12,860 | $28,820 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,250 | $38,580 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 11,870 | $34,500 |
| Production Occupations | 11,260 | $39,930 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Indiana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Indiana'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.
Frequently asked
How far is South Bend, IN from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 103 mi and the route typically takes 2h 18m via I 80 and SR 2. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in South Bend compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,420 in the South Bend MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 129,890 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in South Bend compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $192,340 in South Bend vs $259,875 in Joliet β a 26.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is South Bend more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in South Bend is 10.4% lower than Joliet (92.858 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 South Bend?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 103 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs South Bend?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $52,512 in South Bend vs $88,026 in Joliet β a 40.3% 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 Β· South Bend, IN.