Moving from Joliet, IL to Chicago, IL
It is a short 40 mi hop from Joliet, IL to Chicago, IL β roughly 56 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
40 mi Β· 56 min by car Β· IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 52 |
| Major cities en route | Elgin, Naperville, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Chicago | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 103.595 vs 103.595 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $259,875 to $317,283 moving to Chicago.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Joliet | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 51Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 20Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Joliet (50.4Β°F) and Chicago (50.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.36 |
Households in Chicago earn about 0.0% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chicago 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.
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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 40 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Chicago, IL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 40 mi and the route typically takes 56 min via I 55 and US 52. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $88,026 in Joliet β a 14.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $259,875 in Joliet β a 22.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 4,506,800 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 Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL Β· Chicago, IL.