Moving from Joliet, IL to Thousand Oaks, CA
A 2025 mi cross-country move between Joliet and Thousand Oaks is 35h 27m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
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
| Joliet | Thousand Oaks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Thousand Oaks runs about 6.7% more expensive overall than Joliet β RPP 103.595 β 110.534.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $259,875 in Joliet to $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks, a 6.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Joliet +1.9%, Thousand Oaks 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Joliet | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.0" | 12.0" |
Annual temperature rises 12.1Β°F moving to Thousand Oaks per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US, CAMARILLO AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Joliet | Thousand Oaks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 125,676 |
| Median household income | $88,026 | $134,367 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 44.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.72 |
Thousand Oaks households earn about 6.7% more than Joliet at the median β $88,026 β $134,367 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Thousand Oaks MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,690 | $47,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,940 | $34,820 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 29,050 | $37,470 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,520 | $39,670 |
| Management Occupations | 20,990 | $124,680 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Dry climate: Thousand Oaks sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.1Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Joliet vs Thousand Oaks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $134,367 in Thousand Oaks vs $88,026 in Joliet β a 52.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Thousand Oaks, CA from Joliet, IL?
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 Thousand Oaks more expensive than Joliet?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Thousand Oaks is 6.7% higher than Joliet (110.534 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Joliet to Thousand Oaks?
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.
How much do homes cost in Thousand Oaks compared to Joliet?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks vs $259,875 in Joliet β a 303.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Thousand Oaks compare to Joliet?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA vs $49,790 in the Joliet MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 4,506,800 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 Joliet.
City profiles: Joliet, IL Β· Thousand Oaks, CA.