Moving from Joliet, IL to Paterson, NJ
A move from Joliet, IL to Paterson, NJ covers 793 mi and around 14h 47m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
793 mi Β· 14h 47m by car Β· NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ β PA β OH β IN β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 294 |
| Major cities en route | New York, Yonkers, Newark, Jersey City, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Paterson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 8.7% pricier overall in Paterson than Joliet on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Paterson typical home at $528,882 is 8.7% above Joliet at $259,875 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Paterson +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Joliet | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.4Β°F vs 53.1Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, LITTLE FALLS, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Paterson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 157,660 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $53,766 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 33.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 9.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 3.17 |
Median household income in Paterson is 8.7% below Joliet ($88,026 vs $53,766, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Paterson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How far is Paterson, NJ from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 793 mi and the route typically takes 14h 47m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Paterson?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 793 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Paterson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $53,766 in Paterson vs $88,026 in Joliet β a 38.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Paterson compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Paterson MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Paterson more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Paterson is 8.7% higher than Joliet (112.563 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Paterson compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $528,882 in Paterson vs $259,875 in Joliet β a 103.5% higher 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 Β· Paterson, NJ.