Moving from Joliet, IL to Milwaukee, WI
Moving from Joliet, IL to Milwaukee, WI covers 125 mi and about 2h 36m 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.
125 mi · 2h 36m by car · WI → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | WI → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 294, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Elgin, Chicago, Naperville, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Milwaukee | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 96.937 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 91.59 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.787 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 97.111 | 100.0 |
Milwaukee is 6.4% cheaper than Joliet overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Milwaukee is 6.4% below Joliet ($220,137 vs $259,875 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Milwaukee +3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 48°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 39.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 33.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Joliet (50.4°F) and Milwaukee (48.3°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Milwaukee averages 39.5 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, MT MARY COLLEGE, WI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Milwaukee |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 569,756 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $51,888 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 32.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 17.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.47 |
Median household income in Milwaukee is 6.4% below Joliet ($88,026 vs $51,888, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Milwaukee MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 96,990 | $45,330 |
| Production Occupations | 76,240 | $46,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 72,420 | $39,810 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 71,930 | $38,320 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 66,240 | $29,690 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Wisconsin
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Wisconsin'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.
Winter driving along this route
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Milwaukee averages 39.5 in annually vs 16.9 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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 Wisconsin after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Milwaukee, WI from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 125 mi and the route typically takes 2h 36m via I 94 and I 294. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Milwaukee?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 125 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Milwaukee more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Milwaukee is 6.4% lower than Joliet (96.937 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Milwaukee?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 48.3°F in Milwaukee vs 50.4°F in Joliet (2.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 39.5 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 33.8 in vs 38.0 in.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Milwaukee?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,888 in Milwaukee vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 41.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Milwaukee compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,137 in Milwaukee vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 15.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Milwaukee compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,460 in the Milwaukee MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 814,950 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 · Milwaukee, WI.