Moving from Joliet, IL to Springfield, IL
Moving from Joliet, IL to Springfield, IL covers 161 mi and about 3h 1m by car through 1 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.
161 mi · 3h 1m by car · IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 52, IL 97 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Springfield are 10.5% below Joliet — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Springfield typical home at $163,198 is 10.5% under Joliet at $259,875 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 40.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.4°F vs 52.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.24 |
Median household income in Springfield is 10.5% below Joliet ($88,026 vs $65,537, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Springfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,330 | $41,140 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,250 | $78,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,240 | $29,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 9,100 | $79,530 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,150 | $33,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 25.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 161 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 37.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Springfield, IL from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 161 mi and the route typically takes 3h 1m via I 55 and US 52. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Springfield more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 10.5% lower than Joliet (92.745 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL · Springfield, IL.