Moving from El Monte, CA to Springfield, MO
Moving from El Monte, CA to Springfield, MO is a 1602 mi cross-country relocation β about 27h 40m 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.
1602 mi Β· 27h 40m 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, US 66 HIST, I 44 BUSINESS |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Monte | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 88.585 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 85.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 94.193 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 65.568 | 100.0 |
Cost of living in Springfield is 22.0% lower than El Monte β the kind of spread that reshuffles a household budget line by line.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Springfield: 22.0% below El Monte on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: El Monte +0.8%, Springfield +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | El Monte | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.7" | 46.5" |
Springfield is 9.6Β°F cooler on the annual average (66.0Β°F vs 56.4Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US, SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Monte | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 169,432 |
| Median household income | $64,484 | $45,984 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.4% | 18.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.62 | 2.13 |
Median household income in Springfield is 22.0% below El Monte ($64,484 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
Is Springfield more expensive than El Monte?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 22.0% lower than El Monte (88.585 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to El Monte?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,490 in the Springfield MSA vs $50,490 in the El Monte MSA, on total employment of 217,710 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 El Monte to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1602 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in El Monte vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,984 in Springfield vs $64,484 in El Monte β a 28.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to El Monte?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,870 in Springfield vs $765,444 in El Monte β a 68.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Springfield, MO from El Monte, CA?
The driving distance is 1602 mi and the route typically takes 27h 40m via I 40 and US 66 HIST. The trip crosses 6 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 El Monte.
City profiles: El Monte, CA Β· Springfield, MO.