Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Joliet, IL
It is 2025 mi and 35h 27m from Thousand Oaks to Joliet β 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.
2025 mi Β· 35h 27m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β CO β UT β AZ β NV β 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
| Thousand Oaks | 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 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.3% moving from Thousand Oaks to Joliet β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks to $259,875 in Joliet, a 6.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 38.0" |
Expect 12.1Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Joliet sees 16.9 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.96 |
Expect median household income to fall 6.3% β $134,367 β $88,026 per ACS 5-year estimates (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
- 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.
- 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 β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.1Β°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 household income compare in Thousand Oaks vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 34.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks 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.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 75.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Joliet, IL from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 2025 mi and the route typically takes 35h 27m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Joliet more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 6.3% lower than Thousand Oaks (103.595 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Thousand Oaks to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2025 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 Thousand Oaks.
City profiles: Thousand Oaks, CA Β· Joliet, IL.