Moving from Joliet, IL to Glendale, CA
Cross-country relocations like Joliet, IL → Glendale, CA cover 1988 mi and about 34h 50m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1988 mi · 34h 50m by car · CA → NV → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → CO → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Simi Valley, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Joliet | Glendale | 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 cost of living in Glendale is 9.6% higher than Joliet, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Glendale is 9.6% above Joliet — $259,875 vs $1,201,880 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Glendale -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 16.5" |
Climate warms by 14.1°F on the annual average — 50.4°F → 64.5°F.
Glendale gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 192,270 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $84,262 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 41.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 28.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.63 |
Median household incomes in Joliet ($88,026) and Glendale ($84,262) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale 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-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
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.1°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
How far is Glendale, CA from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 1988 mi and the route typically takes 34h 50m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.5°F in Glendale vs 50.4°F in Joliet (14.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 16.5 in vs 38.0 in.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1988 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Glendale compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Glendale 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 much do homes cost in Glendale compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,201,880 in Glendale vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 362.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Glendale more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 9.6% higher than Joliet (113.566 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,262 in Glendale vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 4.3% lower 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 Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL · Glendale, CA.