Moving from Joliet, IL to Carrollton, TX
A move from Joliet, IL to Carrollton, TX covers 878 mi and around 16h 20m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
878 mi Β· 16h 20m by car Β· IL β MO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 50, US 69 |
| 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
| Joliet | Carrollton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Carrollton and Joliet is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Carrollton is 0.5% above Joliet β $259,875 vs $406,040 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Carrollton -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Joliet | Carrollton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 41.9" |
Carrollton runs 15.4Β°F warmer on the annual average (50.4Β°F vs 65.8Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Carrollton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 132,741 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $99,115 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Carrollton is 0.5% above Joliet ($88,026 β $99,115, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Carrollton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Carrollton average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.4Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Carrollton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 878 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Carrollton, TX from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 878 mi and the route typically takes 16h 20m via I 44 and US 50. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Carrollton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $99,115 in Carrollton vs $88,026 in Joliet β a 12.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Carrollton more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Carrollton is 0.5% lower than Joliet (103.09 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Carrollton compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Carrollton MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Carrollton compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $406,040 in Carrollton vs $259,875 in Joliet β a 56.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL Β· Carrollton, TX.