Moving from Oxnard, CA to Joliet, IL
Cross-country relocations like Oxnard, CA β Joliet, IL cover 2046 mi and about 35h 55m of driving through 8 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.
2046 mi Β· 35h 55m 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 | San Buenaventura, Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Los Angeles, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oxnard | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Joliet is 6.3% cheaper than Oxnard overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Joliet is 6.3% below Oxnard β $767,291 vs $259,875 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Oxnard -0.4%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oxnard | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.9" | 38.0" |
Climate cools by 10.8Β°F on the annual average β 61.2Β°F β 50.4Β°F.
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: OXNARD VENTURA CO AP, CA US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oxnard | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,014 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $93,372 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 34 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.4% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 3.88 | 2.96 |
Income steps down 6.3%: $93,372 in Oxnard vs $88,026 in Joliet.
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 (10.8Β°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 does the job market in Joliet compare to Oxnard?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $48,380 in the Oxnard MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Joliet more expensive than Oxnard?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 6.3% lower than Oxnard (103.595 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Joliet, IL from Oxnard, CA?
The driving distance is 2046 mi and the route typically takes 35h 55m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Oxnard to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2046 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Oxnard?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $767,291 in Oxnard β a 66.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Oxnard vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $93,372 in Oxnard β a 5.7% 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 Oxnard.
City profiles: Oxnard, CA Β· Joliet, IL.