Moving from Joliet, IL to Wichita, KS
It is 668 mi between Joliet and Wichita — roughly 12h 11m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
668 mi · 12h 11m by car · KS → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 36, MO 110, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Topeka, Olathe, Overland Park, Kansas City, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Wichita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 88.946 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 88.459 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 66.245 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 14.1% moving from Joliet to Wichita — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $259,875 in Joliet to $202,720 in Wichita, a 14.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Wichita +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 12.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 34.3" |
Annual temperature rises 7.3°F moving to Wichita per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Wichita sees 12.7 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, WICHITA, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 396,488 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $63,072 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 19.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.52 |
Wichita households earn about 14.1% less than Joliet at the median — $88,026 → $63,072 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Wichita MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,200 | $38,160 |
| Production Occupations | 30,560 | $49,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 26,850 | $27,770 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 25,880 | $31,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,580 | $37,870 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Wichita averages 12.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Wichita average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Wichita?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 668 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Wichita more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Wichita is 14.1% lower than Joliet (88.946 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Wichita, KS from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 668 mi and the route typically takes 12h 11m via US 36 and MO 110. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Wichita compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,790 in the Wichita MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 303,910 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Wichita compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $202,720 in Wichita vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 22.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Wichita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,072 in Wichita vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 28.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Wichita?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Wichita vs 50.4°F in Joliet (7.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 12.7 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 34.3 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 · Wichita, KS.