Moving from San Mateo, CA to Joliet, IL
A 2121 mi cross-country move between San Mateo and Joliet is 36h 32m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 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.
2121 mi Β· 36h 32m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β 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
| San Mateo | 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 |
Expect about 10.4% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Joliet at 103.595 vs San Mateo at 115.613.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 10.4% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,686,905 to $259,875 moving to Joliet.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 50Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 17Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 38.0" |
Annual temperature drops 8.3Β°F moving to Joliet per NOAA normals.
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: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 38 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.96 |
Joliet households earn about 10.4% less than San Mateo at the median β $152,669 β $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 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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β 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 β 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
Is Joliet more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 10.4% lower than San Mateo (103.595 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 42.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Joliet, IL from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 2121 mi and the route typically takes 36h 32m 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 San Mateo to Joliet?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2121 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 San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 84.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Joliet compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Joliet, IL.