Moving from Spokane Valley, WA to Joliet, IL
A 1774 mi cross-country move between Spokane Valley and Joliet is 30h 45m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1774 mi Β· 30h 45m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β SD β WY β MT β ID β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β SD β WY 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
| Spokane Valley | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.346 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.196 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.028 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.059 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Spokane Valley and Joliet sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $408,888 in Spokane Valley to $259,875 in Joliet, a 3.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Spokane Valley +0.7%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Spokane Valley | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | 38.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 49.8Β°F vs 50.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Joliet sees 16.9 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Spokane Valley | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,460 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $70,722 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.96 |
Joliet households earn about 3.2% more than Spokane Valley at the median β $70,722 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 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.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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 Spokane Valley, WA?
The driving distance is 1774 mi and the route typically takes 30h 45m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Spokane Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $408,888 in Spokane Valley β a 36.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Spokane Valley vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $70,722 in Spokane Valley β a 24.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Spokane Valley to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1774 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Spokane Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $48,920 in the Spokane Valley MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 255,160 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Joliet more expensive than Spokane Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 3.2% higher than Spokane Valley (103.595 vs 100.346, 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 Spokane Valley.
City profiles: Spokane Valley, WA Β· Joliet, IL.