Moving from Berkeley, CA to Springfield, MO
Moving from Berkeley, CA to Springfield, MO is a 1906 mi cross-country relocation β about 33h 21m of driving through 6 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.
1906 mi Β· 33h 21m by car Β· MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 58, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma City, Norman, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Berkeley | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 88.585 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 85.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 94.193 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 65.568 | 100.0 |
Overall price level runs 23.4% below Berkeley β a substantial cost-of-living drop on the BEA Regional Price Parity (115.613 β 88.585, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Springfield is 23.4% below Berkeley β $1,443,684 vs $242,870 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Berkeley -1.2%, Springfield +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Berkeley | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 74Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 26.1" | 46.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Berkeley (58.5Β°F) and Springfield (56.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BERKELEY, CA US, SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Berkeley | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 169,432 |
| Median household income | $108,558 | $45,984 |
| Median age | 32.9 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.4% | 18.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.13 |
Median household income in Springfield is 23.4% below Berkeley ($108,558 vs $45,984, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Springfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 28,080 | $38,030 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 24,360 | $38,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 20,070 | $28,100 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,640 | $31,070 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,940 | $63,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Berkeley vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,984 in Springfield vs $108,558 in Berkeley β a 57.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Berkeley to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1906 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Springfield, MO from Berkeley, CA?
The driving distance is 1906 mi and the route typically takes 33h 21m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Berkeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,490 in the Springfield MSA vs $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA, on total employment of 217,710 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Berkeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,870 in Springfield vs $1,443,684 in Berkeley β a 83.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Springfield more expensive than Berkeley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 23.4% lower than Berkeley (88.585 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Berkeley.
City profiles: Berkeley, CA Β· Springfield, MO.