Moving from Downey, CA to Springfield, IL
Moving from Downey, CA to Springfield, IL is a 1922 mi cross-country relocation β about 33h 32m of driving through 7 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.
1922 mi Β· 33h 32m by car Β· IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Springfield, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Springfield is 18.3% cheaper than Downey overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Springfield is 18.3% below Downey β $888,710 vs $163,198 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 40.4" |
Springfield is 12.0Β°F cooler on the annual average (64.9Β°F vs 52.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 37 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.24 |
Median household income in Springfield is 18.3% below Downey ($87,400 vs $65,537, 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 | 14,330 | $41,140 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,250 | $78,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,240 | $29,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 9,100 | $79,530 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,150 | $33,630 |
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
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (12.0Β°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
Is Springfield more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 18.3% lower than Downey (92.745 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $888,710 in Downey β a 81.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Downey vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $87,400 in Downey β a 25.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Springfield, IL from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 1922 mi and the route typically takes 33h 32m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Downey to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1922 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· Springfield, IL.