Moving from Joliet, IL to Kansas City, MO
Relocating between Joliet, IL and Kansas City, MO is a 468 mi drive — 8h 43m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
468 mi · 8h 43m by car · MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 36, MO 110, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Overland Park, Olathe, Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 10.7% cheaper overall in Kansas City than Joliet on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing stays roughly flat moving from Joliet to Kansas City — $259,875 vs $250,208 (2026-03).
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Kansas City +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 57°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 38.1" |
Expect 6.5°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Light snow year: Kansas City gets around 11.0 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 508,233 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $67,449 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.32 |
Expect median household income to fall 10.7% — $88,026 → $67,449 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kansas City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Kansas City average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornadoes are common April through June — identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Kansas City, MO from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 468 mi and the route typically takes 8h 43m via US 36 and MO 110. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,449 in Kansas City vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 23.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 10.7% lower than Joliet (92.543 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Kansas City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 56.9°F in Kansas City vs 50.4°F in Joliet (6.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 11.0 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 38.1 in vs 38.0 in.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 468 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $250,208 in Kansas City vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 3.7% lower 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 · Kansas City, MO.