Moving from Joliet, IL to Anaheim, CA
A 1975 mi cross-country move between Joliet and Anaheim is 34h 38m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1975 mi · 34h 38m by car · CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → AZ → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Anaheim | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 9.6% above Joliet — 103.595 → 113.566 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.6% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Anaheim +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 13.5" |
Annual average temperature gap of 17.3°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Anaheim — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, ANAHEIM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 344,553 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $90,583 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 19.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 3.26 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Anaheim MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter 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 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Anaheim sees only 13.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.3°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Anaheim?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1975 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Anaheim compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $950,504 in Anaheim vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 265.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Anaheim compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Anaheim?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,583 in Anaheim vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 2.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Anaheim, CA from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 1975 mi and the route typically takes 34h 38m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Anaheim more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Anaheim is 9.6% higher than Joliet (113.566 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Anaheim?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.7°F in Anaheim vs 50.4°F in Joliet (17.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 13.5 in vs 38.0 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL · Anaheim, CA.