Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Joliet, IL
The drive from Winston-Salem, NC to Joliet, IL runs 705 mi β about 13h 40m 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.
705 mi Β· 13h 40m by car Β· NC β VA β WV β OH β IN β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β WV β OH β IN β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 52, US 35, I 77 |
| Major cities en route | Greensboro, High Point, Dayton, Chicago, Naperville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Winston-Salem | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Joliet is 12.6% higher than Winston-Salem, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Winston-Salem and Joliet are within 5% of each other ($264,333 vs $259,875 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 38.0" |
Climate cools by 9.1Β°F on the annual average β 59.5Β°F β 50.4Β°F.
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: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.96 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 12.6% between Winston-Salem 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 North Carolina 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-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley 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.
- 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 Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Winston-Salem vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 52.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Joliet, IL from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 705 mi and the route typically takes 13h 40m via US 52 and US 35. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Joliet more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 12.6% higher than Winston-Salem (103.595 vs 92.043, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 705 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 Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 1.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Winston-Salem.
City profiles: Winston-Salem, NC Β· Joliet, IL.