Moving from Joliet, IL to Tuscaloosa, AL
It is 734 mi between Joliet and Tuscaloosa β roughly 13h 34m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
734 mi Β· 13h 34m by car Β· IL β KY β TN β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β KY β TN β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 57, I 65, I 24 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Huntsville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Expect about 15.3% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Tuscaloosa at 87.722 vs Joliet at 103.595.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 15.3% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Joliet | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 57.3" |
Annual temperature rises 13.9Β°F moving to Tuscaloosa per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.68 |
Tuscaloosa households earn about 15.3% less than Joliet at the median β $88,026 β $48,536 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tuscaloosa average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.9Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 734 mi and the route typically takes 13h 34m via I 57 and I 65. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $88,026 in Joliet β a 44.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $259,875 in Joliet β a 11.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 734 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 103,520 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 15.3% lower than Joliet (87.722 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL Β· Tuscaloosa, AL.