Moving from Olathe, KS to Joliet, IL
It is a 492 mi drive, roughly 9h 15m, between Olathe, KS 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.
492 mi · 9h 15m by car · IL → MO → KS
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → MO → KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 36, MO 110, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Springfield, Independence, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Olathe | 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 |
Overall prices come in 11.9% above Olathe — 92.543 → 103.595 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.9% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Olathe +4.2%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Olathe | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 38.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 16.9 in of snowfall annually at Joliet.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OLATHE 3E, KS US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Olathe | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $112,232 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.7% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.76 | 2.96 |
Joliet households earn about 11.9% less than Olathe at the median — $112,232 → $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 Kansas 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
How far is Joliet, IL from Olathe, KS?
The driving distance is 492 mi and the route typically takes 9h 15m via US 36 and MO 110. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Olathe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $48,040 in the Olathe 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 does household income compare in Olathe vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $112,232 in Olathe — a 21.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Olathe 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 492 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Olathe and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 55.1°F in Olathe (4.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 40.7 in.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Olathe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $433,117 in Olathe — a 40.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Joliet more expensive than Olathe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 11.9% higher than Olathe (103.595 vs 92.543, 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 Olathe.
City profiles: Olathe, KS · Joliet, IL.