Moving from Wilmington, NC to Joliet, IL
It is 931 mi between Wilmington and Joliet — roughly 17h 60m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
931 mi · 17h 60m by car · IL → IN → OH → WV → VA → NC
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IN → OH → WV → VA → NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 35, I 64, I 65 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Chicago, Dayton, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wilmington | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 7.4% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.4% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $416,159 to $259,875 moving to Joliet.
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Wilmington | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | 38.0" |
Annual temperature drops 14.0°F moving to Joliet per 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: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.96 |
Joliet households earn about 7.4% more than Wilmington at the median — $63,900 → $88,026 on 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 North Carolina 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
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.0°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Wilmington and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 64.4°F in Wilmington (14.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 60.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $416,159 in Wilmington — a 37.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $63,900 in Wilmington — a 37.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Joliet, IL from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 931 mi and the route typically takes 17h 60m via US 35 and I 64. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington 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 931 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Joliet more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 7.4% higher than Wilmington (103.595 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 142,780 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 Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC · Joliet, IL.