Moving from Thornton, CO to Joliet, IL
The drive from Thornton, CO to Joliet, IL runs 966 mi — about 16h 59m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
966 mi · 16h 59m by car · IL → IA → NE → CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IA → NE → CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 80, I 76 |
| 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
| Thornton | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Thornton (105.782) and Joliet (103.595) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Joliet: 2.1% below Thornton on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Thornton | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 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: NORTHGLENN, CO US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.96 |
Income steps down 2.1%: $100,985 in Thornton vs $88,026 in Joliet.
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 Colorado 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts 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
When is the best time to move from Thornton 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 966 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Joliet, IL from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 966 mi and the route typically takes 16h 59m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Thornton and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 52.4°F in Thornton (2.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 44.8 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 14.5 in.
How does household income compare in Thornton vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $100,985 in Thornton — a 12.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $58,490 in the Thornton MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Joliet more expensive than Thornton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 2.1% lower than Thornton (103.595 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $502,945 in Thornton — a 48.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Thornton.
City profiles: Thornton, CO · Joliet, IL.