Moving from Vancouver, WA to Joliet, IL
It is 2095 mi and 36h 4m from Vancouver to Joliet β a cross-country move across 8 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.
2095 mi Β· 36h 4m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Portland, Gresham, Boise City, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Vancouver | 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 β 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 Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $509,318 to $259,875 moving to Joliet.
YoY change: Vancouver -0.7%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Vancouver | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 38.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Vancouver (54.0Β°F) and Joliet (50.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Joliet averages 16.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: VANCOUVER PEARSON AP, WA US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Vancouver | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,696 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $78,156 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.96 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.7% higher in Joliet than Vancouver.
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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- 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 β 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 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
When is the best time to move from Vancouver to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2095 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Vancouver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $509,318 in Vancouver β a 49.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Joliet, IL from Vancouver, WA?
The driving distance is 2095 mi and the route typically takes 36h 4m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Vancouver vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $78,156 in Vancouver β a 12.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Joliet more expensive than Vancouver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 1.7% lower than Vancouver (103.595 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Vancouver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $55,940 in the Vancouver 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 Vancouver.
City profiles: Vancouver, WA Β· Joliet, IL.