Moving from Overland Park, KS to Joliet, IL
Moving from Overland Park, KS to Joliet, IL covers 491 mi and about 9h 12m by car through 3 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
491 mi · 9h 12m by car · KS → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 36, MO 110, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Olathe, Lee S Summit, Independence, Kansas City, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Overland Park | 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 Overland Park on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Joliet typical home at $259,875 is 11.9% under Overland Park at $482,295 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Overland Park +5.0%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Overland Park | 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" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 55.1°F vs 50.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 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: OLATHE 3E, KS US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Overland Park | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,199 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $103,838 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.5% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.96 |
Median household income in Joliet is 11.9% below Overland Park ($103,838 → $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 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
Is Joliet more expensive than Overland Park?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 11.9% higher than Overland Park (103.595 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Joliet, IL from Overland Park, KS?
The driving distance is 491 mi and the route typically takes 9h 12m via US 36 and MO 110. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Overland Park 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 491 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Overland Park?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $482,295 in Overland Park — a 46.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Overland Park vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $103,838 in Overland Park — a 15.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Overland Park and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 55.1°F in Overland Park (4.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 40.7 in.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Overland Park?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $48,040 in the Overland Park 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Overland Park.
City profiles: Overland Park, KS · Joliet, IL.