Moving from Joliet, IL to Laredo, TX
Relocating 1312 mi from Joliet to Laredo is a 23h 57m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1312 mi · 23h 57m by car · TX → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 44, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Expect about 16.1% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Laredo at 86.956 vs Joliet at 103.595.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 16.1% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 19.7" |
Expect 24.6°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Laredo gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 3.36 |
Expect median household income to fall 16.1% — $88,026 → $63,264 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 — 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 Laredo average 100°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 (24.6°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
Is Laredo more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 16.1% lower than Joliet (86.956 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Laredo, TX from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 1312 mi and the route typically takes 23h 57m via I 35 and I 44. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 15.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 50.4°F in Joliet (24.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 38.0 in.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1312 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 28.1% 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 · Laredo, TX.