Moving from Palm Bay, FL to Joliet, IL
It is 1203 mi between Palm Bay and Joliet β roughly 22h 55m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1203 mi Β· 22h 55m by car Β· IL β IN β KY β TN β GA β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IN β KY β TN β GA β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 65, GA 540 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Chicago, Chattanooga, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Palm Bay | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.005 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.064 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.731 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 3.6% under Palm Bay β $302,461 β $259,875 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Palm Bay -4.0%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Palm Bay | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 73Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 55.6" | 38.0" |
Annual average temperature gap of 22.2Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Heavy-snow city: expect 16.9 in of snowfall annually at Joliet.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PALM BAY, FL US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Palm Bay | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $67,521 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 41.3 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.96 |
Joliet households earn about 3.6% more than Palm Bay at the median β $67,521 β $88,026 on 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 Florida 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-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (22.2Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 does the job market in Joliet compare to Palm Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $46,290 in the Palm Bay MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 236,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Palm Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $302,461 in Palm Bay β a 14.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Palm Bay to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1203 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Palm Bay vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $67,521 in Palm Bay β a 30.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Joliet more expensive than Palm Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 3.6% higher than Palm Bay (103.595 vs 100.005, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Joliet, IL from Palm Bay, FL?
The driving distance is 1203 mi and the route typically takes 22h 55m via I 75 and I 65. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Palm Bay.
City profiles: Palm Bay, FL Β· Joliet, IL.