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Moving from Joliet, IL to Springfield, MA

Relocating 934 mi from Joliet to Springfield is a 17h 37m drive through 7 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.

934 mi · 17h 37m by car · MA → CT → NY → PA → OH → IN → IL

COL -7.3% Home values +13.4% Δ -1.0°F annual

Distance & route

Driving

934 mi

Drive time

17h 37m

States

Fuel (25 mpg)

37 gal

Route through	MA → CT → NY → PA → OH → IN → IL
Primary highways	I 80, I 84, I 90
Major cities en route	Hartford, Waterbury, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford

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	96.061	100.0
Rents	83.581	154.996	100.0
Goods	107.258	97.015	100.0
Services	112.01	75.781	100.0

Overall cost of living drops 7.3% moving from Joliet to Springfield — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Joliet — typical home

$259,875

Springfield — typical home

$294,613

Joliet — typical rent

$1,520/mo

Springfield — typical rent

$1,722/mo

Homes in Springfield run about 7.3% pricier — ZHVI $259,875 → $294,613 (2026-03).

YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Springfield +3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normals	Joliet	Springfield
Annual avg temperature	50°F	49°F
January avg low	17°F	16°F
July avg high	84°F	85°F
Annual snowfall	16.9"	—
Annual precipitation	38.0"	45.2"

Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.4°F vs 49.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, WESTFIELD BARNES MUNI AP, MA US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023	Joliet	Springfield
Population	149,785	154,751
Median household income	$88,026	$51,339
Median age	35.3	33.7
Bachelor's degree or higher	16%	10.8%
Avg household size	2.96	2.67

Expect median household income to fall 7.3% — $88,026 → $51,339 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Joliet MSA — median wage

$49,790

Springfield MSA — median wage

—

Joliet MSA — employment

4,506,800

Springfield MSA — employment

—

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between Illinois and Massachusetts

Illinois income tax

4.95% top marginal

Massachusetts income tax

9% top marginal

State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Massachusetts'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

Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
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 Springfield, MA from Joliet, IL?

The driving distance is 934 mi and the route typically takes 17h 37m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

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 934 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 $294,613 in Springfield vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 13.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

Is Springfield more expensive than Joliet?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 7.3% lower than Joliet (96.061 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How does household income compare in Joliet vs Springfield?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,339 in Springfield vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 41.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Joliet.

City profiles: Joliet, IL · Springfield, MA.