Moving from Joliet, IL to Thornton, CO
The drive from Joliet, IL to Thornton, CO runs 966 mi — about 16h 59m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
966 mi · 16h 59m by car · IL → IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 80, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Thornton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Thornton 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 Thornton is 2.1% above Joliet — $259,875 vs $502,945 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Thornton -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 44.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 14.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Joliet (50.4°F) and Thornton (52.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Thornton averages 44.8 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, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Thornton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 142,878 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $100,985 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.88 |
Income steps up 2.1%: $88,026 in Joliet vs $100,985 in Thornton.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Thornton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Thornton averages 44.8 in annually vs 16.9 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Thornton average 91°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Thornton sees only 14.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Thornton compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $502,945 in Thornton vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 93.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Thornton compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Thornton MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 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 Thornton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,985 in Thornton vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 14.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Thornton, CO from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 966 mi and the route typically takes 16h 59m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Thornton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.4°F in Thornton vs 50.4°F in Joliet (2.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 44.8 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 in vs 38.0 in.
Is Thornton more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thornton is 2.1% higher than Joliet (105.782 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 Thornton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 966 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 · Thornton, CO.