Moving from Fairfield, CA to Joliet, IL
Cross-country relocations like Fairfield, CA → Joliet, IL cover 2058 mi and about 35h 16m of driving through 7 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.
2058 mi · 35h 16m by car · IL → IA → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IA → NE → WY → UT → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 280 |
| 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
| Fairfield | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Joliet and Fairfield is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Joliet is 4.5% below Fairfield — $609,269 vs $259,875 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fairfield | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 38.0" |
Climate cools by 11.3°F on the annual average — 61.7°F → 50.4°F.
Joliet averages 16.9 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.96 |
Income steps down 4.5%: $102,321 in Fairfield 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 — 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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 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-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 (11.3°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 Fairfield vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $102,321 in Fairfield — a 14.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Fairfield and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 61.7°F in Fairfield (11.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 24.5 in.
Is Joliet more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 4.5% lower than Fairfield (103.595 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Joliet, IL from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2058 mi and the route typically takes 35h 16m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield 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 2058 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $609,269 in Fairfield — a 57.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA · Joliet, IL.