Moving from Hayward, CA to Springfield, IL
Moving from Hayward, CA to Springfield, IL is a 2059 mi cross-country relocation β about 35h 41m 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.
2059 mi Β· 35h 41m 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 | San Jose, Fremont, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hayward | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Springfield is 19.8% cheaper than Hayward 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 19.8% below Hayward β $848,427 vs $163,198 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Hayward -6.3%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hayward | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 75Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.0" | 40.4" |
Springfield is 6.8Β°F cooler on the annual average (59.7Β°F vs 52.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hayward | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $113,775 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.2% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.24 |
Median household income in Springfield is 19.8% below Hayward ($113,775 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
- 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
When is the best time to move from Hayward to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2059 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Hayward?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $72,050 in the Hayward MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Springfield more expensive than Hayward?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 19.8% lower than Hayward (92.745 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Springfield, IL from Hayward, CA?
The driving distance is 2059 mi and the route typically takes 35h 41m via I 80 and US 36. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Hayward vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $113,775 in Hayward β a 42.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Hayward?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $848,427 in Hayward β a 80.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hayward.
City profiles: Hayward, CA Β· Springfield, IL.