Moving from Kansas City, MO to Joliet, IL
It is a 468 mi drive, roughly 8h 43m, between Kansas City, MO and Joliet, IL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
468 mi · 8h 43m by car · MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 36, MO 110, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Overland Park, Olathe, Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Joliet runs about 11.9% more expensive overall than Kansas City — RPP 92.543 → 103.595.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Joliet ($259,875) sits close to Kansas City ($250,208) — no material housing gap.
YoY change: Kansas City +0.8%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Kansas City | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | 38.0" |
Annual temperature drops 6.5°F moving to Joliet per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Joliet sees 16.9 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $67,449 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.96 |
Joliet households earn about 11.9% more than Kansas City at the median — $67,449 → $88,026 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Joliet MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Joliet averages 16.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Joliet more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 11.9% higher than Kansas City (103.595 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $67,449 in Kansas City — a 30.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Joliet, IL from Kansas City, MO?
The driving distance is 468 mi and the route typically takes 8h 43m via US 36 and MO 110. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $250,208 in Kansas City — a 3.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 468 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Kansas City and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 56.9°F in Kansas City (6.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 11.0 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 38.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, MO · Joliet, IL.