Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Joliet, IL
The drive from Sugar Land, TX to Joliet, IL runs 1054 mi — about 19h 27m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1054 mi · 19h 27m by car · IL → MO → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → MO → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 59, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Naperville, Springfield, St Louis, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sugar Land | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Joliet is 5.0% higher than Sugar Land, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Joliet is 5.0% below Sugar Land — $447,176 vs $259,875 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sugar Land | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.1" | 38.0" |
Joliet runs 20.2°F colder on the annual average (70.6°F vs 50.4°F) — expect a noticeably different year.
Joliet averages 16.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SUGAR LAND, TX US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sugar Land | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 42.5 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.9 | 2.96 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 5.0% between Sugar Land and Joliet (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 Texas 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 — 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: Joliet averages 16.9 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (20.2°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 far is Joliet, IL from Sugar Land, TX?
The driving distance is 1054 mi and the route typically takes 19h 27m via I 55 and US 59. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Sugar Land vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $137,511 in Sugar Land — a 36.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Sugar Land?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Sugar Land to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1054 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Joliet more expensive than Sugar Land?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 5.0% higher than Sugar Land (103.595 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Sugar Land?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $447,176 in Sugar Land — a 41.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Sugar Land and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 70.6°F in Sugar Land (20.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 51.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sugar Land.
City profiles: Sugar Land, TX · Joliet, IL.