Moving from Menifee, CA to Joliet, IL
A 1979 mi cross-country move between Menifee and Joliet is 34h 33m 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.
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
| Menifee | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Menifee and Joliet sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $584,525 in Menifee to $259,875 in Joliet, a 2.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Menifee -1.6%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Menifee | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 42°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.7" | 38.0" |
Annual average temperature drops 15.6°F — 66.0°F in Menifee vs 50.4°F in Joliet, per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Joliet sees 16.9 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ELSINORE, CA US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Menifee | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,020 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $89,183 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.9% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 3.05 | 2.96 |
Household income lines up — $89,183 vs $88,026 on ACS 5-year 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 far is Joliet, IL from Menifee, CA?
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.
When is the best time to move from Menifee 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 1979 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Menifee?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $47,450 in the Menifee MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Menifee?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $584,525 in Menifee — a 55.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Joliet more expensive than Menifee?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 2.7% lower than Menifee (103.595 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Menifee vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $89,183 in Menifee — a 1.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Menifee and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 66.0°F in Menifee (15.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 0.2 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 11.7 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Menifee.
City profiles: Menifee, CA · Joliet, IL.