Moving from Joliet, IL to Surprise, AZ
Moving from Joliet, IL to Surprise, AZ is a 1760 mi cross-country relocation — about 30h 46m of driving through 6 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1760 mi · 30h 46m by car · IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → MO → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, US 50 |
| 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 | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Joliet (103.595) and Surprise (103.316) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Surprise: 0.3% above Joliet on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 9.6" |
Major climate step-up: 19.8°F warmer annual average in Surprise vs Joliet.
Effectively snow-free year in Surprise — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.75 |
Median household income in Surprise is 0.3% above Joliet ($88,026 → $93,371, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Surprise MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Surprise average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Surprise sees only 9.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (19.8°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 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 Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 6.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Surprise?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Surprise vs 50.4°F in Joliet (19.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 38.0 in.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 62.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Surprise more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 0.3% lower than Joliet (103.316 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 1760 mi and the route typically takes 30h 46m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1760 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 · Surprise, AZ.