Moving from Portland, OR to Joliet, IL
It is 2093 mi and 35h 59m from Portland to Joliet — a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2093 mi · 35h 59m by car · OR → ID → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | OR → ID → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Vancouver, Gresham, Nampa, Boise City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Portland | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 105.421 vs 103.595 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.7% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $534,638 to $259,875 moving to Joliet.
YoY change: Portland -1.1%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Portland | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 37°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.6" | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 44.1" | 38.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Portland (54.8°F) and Joliet (50.4°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Joliet averages 16.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PORTLAND KGW-TV, OR US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Portland | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $88,792 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.1% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.96 |
Median household incomes in Portland ($88,792) and Joliet ($88,026) are within a few percent (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 Oregon 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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 does household income compare in Portland vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $88,792 in Portland — a 0.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Joliet more expensive than Portland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 1.7% lower than Portland (103.595 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Joliet, IL from Portland, OR?
The driving distance is 2093 mi and the route typically takes 35h 59m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Portland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $534,638 in Portland — a 51.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Portland and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 54.8°F in Portland (4.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 3.6 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 44.1 in.
When is the best time to move from Portland 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 2093 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Portland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $55,940 in the Portland MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,206,150 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 Portland.
City profiles: Portland, OR · Joliet, IL.