Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Joliet, IL
Moving from Lee's Summit, MO to Joliet, IL covers 479 mi and about 8h 58m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
479 mi Β· 8h 58m by car Β· IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, I 70, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Springfield, Columbia, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lee's Summit | 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 |
Moderate COL step-up: 11.9% pricier overall in Joliet than Lee's Summit on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Joliet typical home at $259,875 is 11.9% under Lee's Summit at $390,166 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Lee's Summit +2.1%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lee's Summit | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 38.0" |
Joliet is 5.3Β°F cooler on the annual average (55.7Β°F vs 50.4Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Significant snow at the destination: Joliet sees 16.9 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lee's Summit | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,583 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $104,989 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.96 |
Median household income in Joliet is 11.9% below Lee's Summit ($104,989 β $88,026, 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 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Joliet averages 16.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β 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
When is the best time to move from Lee's Summit to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 479 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Joliet more expensive than Lee's Summit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 11.9% higher than Lee's Summit (103.595 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Joliet, IL from Lee's Summit, MO?
The driving distance is 479 mi and the route typically takes 8h 58m via I 55 and I 70. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Lee's Summit vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $104,989 in Lee's Summit β a 16.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Lee's Summit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $48,040 in the Lee's Summit 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 much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Lee's Summit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $390,166 in Lee's Summit β a 33.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lee's Summit.
City profiles: Lee's Summit, MO Β· Joliet, IL.