Moving from Kent, WA to Joliet, IL
Moving from Kent, WA to Joliet, IL is a 2059 mi cross-country relocation β about 36h 3m of driving through 6 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2059 mi Β· 36h 3m by car Β· IL β IA β SD β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β SD 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
| Kent | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Joliet is 6.8% cheaper than Kent overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Joliet is 6.8% below Kent β $656,314 vs $259,875 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Kent -2.1%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kent | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 38.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Kent (53.8Β°F) and Joliet (50.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Joliet averages 16.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KENT, WA US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kent | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,015 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $90,416 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.1% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.89 | 2.96 |
Median household incomes in Kent ($90,416) and Joliet ($88,026) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Joliet MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Washington and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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.
- 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
- Winter gear first: Joliet averages 16.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Joliet, IL from Kent, WA?
The driving distance is 2059 mi and the route typically takes 36h 3m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Joliet more expensive than Kent?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 6.8% lower than Kent (103.595 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Kent to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2059 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Kent?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $656,314 in Kent β a 60.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Kent vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $90,416 in Kent β a 2.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Kent?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $65,260 in the Kent MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kent.
City profiles: Kent, WA Β· Joliet, IL.