Moving from Ontario, CA to Joliet, IL
Moving from Ontario, CA to Joliet, IL is a 1952 mi cross-country relocation β about 34h 6m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1952 mi Β· 34h 6m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Riverside, Santa Ana, Irvine, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ontario | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Joliet and Ontario is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Joliet is 2.7% below Ontario β $672,742 vs $259,875 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Ontario -1.7%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ontario | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 38.0" |
Joliet runs 16.4Β°F colder on the annual average (66.8Β°F vs 50.4Β°F) β expect a noticeably different year.
Joliet averages 16.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ontario | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,347 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $82,806 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 3.39 | 2.96 |
Median household income in Joliet is 2.7% above Ontario ($82,806 β $88,026, ACS 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 β check CDOT alerts before departure.
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 β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (16.4Β°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 Ontario, CA?
The driving distance is 1952 mi and the route typically takes 34h 6m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Ontario vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $82,806 in Ontario β a 6.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Joliet more expensive than Ontario?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 2.7% lower than Ontario (103.595 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Ontario?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $672,742 in Ontario β a 61.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Ontario?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $47,450 in the Ontario 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.
When is the best time to move from Ontario to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1952 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Ontario.
City profiles: Ontario, CA Β· Joliet, IL.