Moving from Dallas, TX to Joliet, IL
It is 887 mi between Dallas and Joliet — roughly 16h 27m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
887 mi · 16h 27m by car · TX → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 55, US 69 |
| Major cities en route | Mesquite, Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Garland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dallas | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.5% under Dallas — $309,421 → $259,875 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Dallas -3.6%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dallas | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.7" | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 38.0" |
Annual average temperature gap of 17.6°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Heavy-snow city: expect 16.9 in of snowfall annually at Joliet.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dallas | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $67,760 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.96 |
Joliet households earn about 0.5% more than Dallas at the median — $67,760 → $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 Texas 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.
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 (17.6°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
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Dallas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $48,440 in the Dallas MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Dallas 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 887 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Joliet more expensive than Dallas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 0.5% higher than Dallas (103.595 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Joliet, IL from Dallas, TX?
The driving distance is 887 mi and the route typically takes 16h 27m via I 44 and I 55. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Dallas and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 68.0°F in Dallas (17.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 1.7 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 38.3 in.
How does household income compare in Dallas vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $67,760 in Dallas — a 29.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Dallas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $309,421 in Dallas — a 16.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dallas.
City profiles: Dallas, TX · Joliet, IL.