Moving from Joliet, IL to Des Moines, IA
Moving from Joliet, IL to Des Moines, IA covers 307 mi and about 5h 40m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
307 mi · 5h 40m by car · IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 280, US 6 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Aurora, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Des Moines | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 91.701 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 84.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.73 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 84.741 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 103.595 to 91.701, putting Des Moines roughly 11.5% below Joliet on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Des Moines ZHVI at $208,166 is 11.5% below Joliet at $259,875.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Des Moines +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 36.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 36.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Heavy-snow city: expect 36.5 in of snowfall annually at Des Moines.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 212,464 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $63,966 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 34.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.36 |
Median household income in Des Moines is 11.5% below Joliet ($88,026 vs $63,966, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Des Moines MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 48,550 | $46,670 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 35,680 | $36,420 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 34,890 | $78,150 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,360 | $45,430 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 30,210 | $30,100 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Iowa
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Iowa'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: Des Moines averages 36.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Tornado season runs April through June — identify a safe room or interior space early.
- 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 Iowa after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Des Moines more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Des Moines is 11.5% lower than Joliet (91.701 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Des Moines compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 383,190 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Des Moines compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $208,166 in Des Moines vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 19.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Des Moines?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.9°F in Des Moines vs 50.4°F in Joliet (0.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 36.5 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 36.6 in vs 38.0 in.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Des Moines?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 307 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Des Moines, IA from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 307 mi and the route typically takes 5h 40m via I 80 and I 280. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Des Moines?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,966 in Des Moines vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 27.3% lower 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 Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL · Des Moines, IA.