Moving from Yonkers, NY to Joliet, IL
The drive from Yonkers, NY to Joliet, IL runs 816 mi — about 15h 19m 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.
816 mi · 15h 19m by car · NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 294 |
| Major cities en route | Stamford, New York, Jersey City, Newark, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Yonkers | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Joliet are 8.0% below Yonkers — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Joliet typical home at $259,875 is 8.0% under Yonkers at $680,218 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Yonkers +5.9%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Yonkers | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.7" | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.2" | 38.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 53.4°F vs 50.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Joliet sees 16.9 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DOBBS FERRY-ARDSLEY, NY US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Yonkers | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,529 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $81,816 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 39 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.6% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.96 |
Income steps up 8.0%: $81,816 in Yonkers 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 New York 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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy 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.
- 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
Is Joliet more expensive than Yonkers?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 8.0% lower than Yonkers (103.595 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Yonkers?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $680,218 in Yonkers — a 61.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Yonkers 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 816 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Joliet, IL from Yonkers, NY?
The driving distance is 816 mi and the route typically takes 15h 19m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Yonkers and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 53.4°F in Yonkers (3.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 32.7 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 51.2 in.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Yonkers?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $59,390 in the Yonkers MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Yonkers vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $81,816 in Yonkers — a 7.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Yonkers.
City profiles: Yonkers, NY · Joliet, IL.