Moving from Joliet, IL to Menifee, CA
It is 1979 mi and 34h 33m from Joliet to Menifee — 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.
1979 mi · 34h 33m 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
| Joliet | Menifee | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 103.595 vs 106.442 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.7% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $259,875 to $584,525 moving to Menifee.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Menifee -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Joliet | Menifee |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 11.7" |
Expect 15.6°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Menifee 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, ELSINORE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Menifee |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 107,020 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $89,183 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 14.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 3.05 |
Median household incomes in Joliet ($88,026) and Menifee ($89,183) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Menifee MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Menifee average 97°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Menifee sees only 11.7 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 (15.6°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
Is Menifee more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Menifee is 2.7% higher than Joliet (106.442 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Menifee compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Menifee MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Menifee, CA from Joliet, IL?
The driving distance is 1979 mi and the route typically takes 34h 33m 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 Joliet vs Menifee?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $89,183 in Menifee vs $88,026 in Joliet — a 1.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Menifee?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1979 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Joliet and Menifee?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in Menifee vs 50.4°F in Joliet (15.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 16.9 in. Annual precipitation: 11.7 in vs 38.0 in.
How much do homes cost in Menifee compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $584,525 in Menifee vs $259,875 in Joliet — a 124.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL · Menifee, CA.