Moving from El Monte, CA to Joliet, IL
It is 1976 mi and 34h 30m from El Monte to Joliet — a cross-country move across 8 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1976 mi · 34h 30m by car · IL → IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 80 EXPRESS, I 80 |
| 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
| El Monte | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Expect about 8.8% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Joliet at 103.595 vs El Monte at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.8% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $765,444 to $259,875 moving to Joliet.
YoY change: El Monte +0.8%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Monte | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.7" | 38.0" |
Expect 15.6°F colder on average per year — plan for heating load and winter gear.
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: SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Monte | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $64,484 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 3.62 | 2.96 |
Expect median household income to rise 8.8% — $64,484 → $88,026 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 California 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.6°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 El Monte?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $50,490 in the El Monte MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to El Monte?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $765,444 in El Monte — a 66.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between El Monte and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 66.0°F in El Monte (15.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 15.7 in.
Is Joliet more expensive than El Monte?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 8.8% lower than El Monte (103.595 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from El Monte 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 1976 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Joliet, IL from El Monte, CA?
The driving distance is 1976 mi and the route typically takes 34h 30m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in El Monte vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $64,484 in El Monte — a 36.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Monte.
City profiles: El Monte, CA · Joliet, IL.