Moving from Springfield, IL to Joliet, IL
Moving from Springfield, IL to Joliet, IL covers 161 mi and about 3h 1m by car through 1 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.
161 mi Β· 3h 1m by car Β· IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 52, IL 97 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 11.7% pricier overall in Joliet than Springfield 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 11.7% above Springfield at $163,198 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 38.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 52.9Β°F vs 50.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
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: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.96 |
Median household income in Joliet is 11.7% above Springfield ($65,537 vs $88,026, ACS 5-year 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.
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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 34.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Joliet more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 11.7% higher than Springfield (103.595 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 59.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 161 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Joliet, IL from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 161 mi and the route typically takes 3h 1m via I 55 and US 52. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 103,670 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 Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, IL Β· Joliet, IL.