Moving from Joliet, IL to Westminster, CO
It is 975 mi between Joliet and Westminster — roughly 17h 7m 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.
975 mi · 17h 7m 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 | Westminster | 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 |
Joliet and Westminster sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $259,875 in Joliet to $527,654 in Westminster, a 2.1% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Westminster -3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| 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" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.4°F vs 52.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Westminster sees 44.8 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, NORTHGLENN, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Westminster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 115,546 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $96,145 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 29.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.41 |
Households in Westminster earn about 2.1% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Westminster 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 — Westminster 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 Westminster 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: Westminster 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 Westminster compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $527,654 in Westminster vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 103.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Westminster, CO from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 975 mi and the route typically takes 17h 7m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Westminster?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 975 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Westminster more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Westminster is 2.1% higher than Joliet (105.782 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Westminster?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 52.4°F in Westminster 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.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Westminster?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $96,145 in Westminster vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 9.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Westminster compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Westminster 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL · Westminster, CO.