Moving from Joliet, IL to Warren, MI
It is a 302 mi drive, roughly 5h 45m, between Joliet, IL and Warren, MI. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
302 mi Β· 5h 45m by car Β· IL β IN β MI
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IN β MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 80, M 14 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Chicago, South Bend, Ann Arbor |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Warren | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
Joliet and Warren sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $259,875 in Joliet to $196,785 in Warren, a 3.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Warren +2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Joliet | Warren |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 29.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.4Β°F vs 50.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, DETROIT CITY AP, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Warren |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 138,128 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $63,741 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 37.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 13.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.55 |
Warren households earn about 3.2% less than Joliet at the median β $88,026 β $63,741 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Warren MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 224,810 | $45,600 |
| Production Occupations | 186,670 | $44,740 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 165,670 | $40,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 160,290 | $36,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,090 | $30,480 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Michigan
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Michigan'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
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Warren more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Warren is 3.2% lower than Joliet (100.298 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 Warren?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 302 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Warren, MI from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 302 mi and the route typically takes 5h 45m via I 94 and I 80. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Warren compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Warren MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 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 Warren?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,741 in Warren vs $88,026 in Joliet β a 27.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Warren compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $196,785 in Warren vs $259,875 in Joliet β a 24.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL Β· Warren, MI.