Moving from Joliet, IL to Spokane Valley, WA
It is 1774 mi and 30h 45m from Joliet to Spokane Valley β a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1774 mi Β· 30h 45m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, US 212 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Spokane Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 100.346 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 91.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 105.028 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 97.059 | 100.0 |
Joliet and Spokane Valley sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $259,875 in Joliet to $408,888 in Spokane Valley, a 3.1% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Spokane Valley +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Joliet | Spokane Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 17.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.4Β°F vs 49.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Spokane Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 105,460 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $70,722 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 16.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.47 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 3.1% lower in Spokane Valley than Joliet.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Spokane Valley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 31,380 | $46,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 23,780 | $38,530 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 22,620 | $44,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,480 | $35,500 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,820 | $95,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Spokane Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,722 in Spokane Valley vs $88,026 in Joliet β a 19.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Spokane Valley, WA from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 1774 mi and the route typically takes 30h 45m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Spokane Valley compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,920 in the Spokane Valley MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 255,160 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Spokane Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1774 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Spokane Valley more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Spokane Valley is 3.1% lower than Joliet (100.346 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Spokane Valley compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $408,888 in Spokane Valley vs $259,875 in Joliet β a 57.3% 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· Spokane Valley, WA.