Moving from Fairfield, CA to Springfield, IL
Cross-country relocations like Fairfield, CA β Springfield, IL cover 2001 mi and about 34h 35m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2001 mi Β· 34h 35m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β IA β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β IA β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 36, I 29 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Concord, Antioch, Richmond, Sacramento |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fairfield | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Springfield are 14.5% below Fairfield β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Springfield typical home at $163,198 is 14.5% under Fairfield at $609,269 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fairfield | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 40.4" |
Climate cools by 8.8Β°F on the annual average β 61.7Β°F β 52.9Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.24 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 14.5% between Fairfield and Springfield (ACS 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $609,269 in Fairfield β a 73.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Springfield more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 14.5% lower than Fairfield (92.745 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $102,321 in Fairfield β a 35.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Springfield, IL from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 2001 mi and the route typically takes 34h 35m via I 80 and US 36. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2001 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 Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA Β· Springfield, IL.