Moving from Broken Arrow, OK to Joliet, IL
It is 646 mi between Broken Arrow and Joliet β roughly 11h 45m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
646 mi Β· 11h 45m by car Β· IL β MO β OK
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO β OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 50, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Springfield, St Louis, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Broken Arrow | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 16.1% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 16.1% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Broken Arrow +2.1%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Broken Arrow | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 38.0" |
Annual temperature drops 9.6Β°F moving to Joliet per 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: BIXBY, OK US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Broken Arrow | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $85,220 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 37 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.96 |
Median household incomes in Broken Arrow ($85,220) and Joliet ($88,026) are within a few percent (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 Oklahoma 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.
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 Broken Arrow to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 646 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 Broken Arrow?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $286,846 in Broken Arrow β a 9.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Broken Arrow vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $85,220 in Broken Arrow β a 3.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Broken Arrow?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $43,140 in the Broken Arrow MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Joliet more expensive than Broken Arrow?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 16.1% higher than Broken Arrow (103.595 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Joliet, IL from Broken Arrow, OK?
The driving distance is 646 mi and the route typically takes 11h 45m via I 44 and US 50. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Broken Arrow.
City profiles: Broken Arrow, OK Β· Joliet, IL.