Moving from Renton, WA to Joliet, IL
Moving from Renton, WA to Joliet, IL is a 2060 mi cross-country relocation β about 35h 59m of driving through 6 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2060 mi Β· 35h 59m by car Β· IL β IA β SD β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β SD β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, US 212 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 111.133 to 103.595, putting Joliet roughly 6.8% below Renton on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Joliet: 6.8% below Renton on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 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 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.96 |
Median household income in Joliet is 6.8% below Renton ($96,626 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 Washington 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 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
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $764,375 in Renton β a 66.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Joliet, IL from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 2060 mi and the route typically takes 35h 59m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Joliet more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 6.8% lower than Renton (103.595 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2060 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Renton vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $96,626 in Renton β a 8.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 2,079,090 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 Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Joliet, IL.