Moving from Joliet, IL to South Fulton, GA
The drive from Joliet, IL to South Fulton, GA runs 708 mi — about 13h 51m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
708 mi · 13h 51m by car · IL → IN → KY → TN → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IN → KY → TN → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, I 75, SR 111 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Chicago, Chattanooga, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | South Fulton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 100.058 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 96.239 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 100.416 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 111.022 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Joliet (103.595) and South Fulton (100.058) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, South Fulton —. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 2.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 50.4" |
Climate warms by 13.2°F on the annual average — 50.4°F → 63.6°F.
Light snow year: South Fulton gets around 2.2 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, ATLANTA HARTSFIELD INTL AP, GA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | South Fulton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 109,157 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $81,798 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.76 |
Income steps down 3.4%: $88,026 in Joliet vs $81,798 in South Fulton.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in South Fulton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 350,210 | $43,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 317,700 | $40,250 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 275,750 | $35,560 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 257,700 | $79,020 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 242,360 | $28,720 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Georgia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Georgia'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
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in South Fulton average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: South Fulton averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.2°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Tropical storms are possible August through October on the Atlantic coast.
- 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 Georgia after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is South Fulton more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in South Fulton is 3.4% lower than Joliet (100.058 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to South Fulton?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 708 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 South Fulton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,798 in South Fulton vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 7.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is South Fulton, GA from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 708 mi and the route typically takes 13h 51m via I 65 and I 75. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in South Fulton compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the South Fulton MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 2,817,660 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 South Fulton?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.6°F in South Fulton vs 50.4°F in Joliet (13.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 2.2 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 50.4 in vs 38.0 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL · South Fulton, GA.