Moving from San Francisco, CA to Joliet, IL
A 2132 mi cross-country move between San Francisco and Joliet is 37h 11m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2132 mi · 37h 11m by car · CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → NV → UT → WY → NE → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, CA 37, I 280 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Berkeley, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.4% moving from San Francisco to Joliet — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,356,662 in San Francisco to $259,875 in Joliet, a 10.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Francisco | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 62°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 38.0" |
Annual temperature drops 5.8°F moving to Joliet per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Joliet sees 16.9 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.96 |
Joliet households earn about 10.4% less than San Francisco at the median — $141,446 → $88,026 on 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 — 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
- 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-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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April — check WYDOT 511 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 — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $141,446 in San Francisco — a 37.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Joliet more expensive than San Francisco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 10.4% lower than San Francisco (103.595 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco — a 80.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from San Francisco 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 2132 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between San Francisco and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 56.2°F in San Francisco (5.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 20.6 in.
How far is Joliet, IL from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 2132 mi and the route typically takes 37h 11m via I 80 and CA 37. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA · Joliet, IL.