Moving from West Covina, CA to Joliet, IL
Moving from West Covina, CA to Joliet, IL is a 1970 mi cross-country relocation — about 34h 22m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1970 mi · 34h 22m by car · IL → IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL → IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → 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
| West Covina | Joliet | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 103.595, putting Joliet roughly 8.8% below West Covina on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Joliet: 8.8% below West Covina on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, Joliet +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | West Covina | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 17°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 16.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 38.0" |
Joliet is 14.7°F cooler on the annual average (65.1°F vs 50.4°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Heavy-snow city: expect 16.9 in of snowfall annually at Joliet.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 149,785 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $88,026 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 16% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 2.96 |
Median household income in Joliet is 8.8% below West Covina ($98,570 → $88,026, 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — 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 — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.7°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 the job market in Joliet compare to West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Joliet MSA vs $50,490 in the West Covina MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from West Covina 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 1970 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Joliet more expensive than West Covina?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Joliet is 8.8% lower than West Covina (103.595 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Joliet compared to West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $259,875 in Joliet vs $852,373 in West Covina — a 69.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Joliet, IL from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 1970 mi and the route typically takes 34h 22m via I 70 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in West Covina vs Joliet?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,026 in Joliet vs $98,570 in West Covina — a 10.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between West Covina and Joliet?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.4°F in Joliet vs 65.1°F in West Covina (14.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 16.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 38.0 in vs 14.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Covina.
City profiles: West Covina, CA · Joliet, IL.