Moving from Irvine, CA to Springfield, IL
It is 1919 mi and 33h 36m from Irvine to Springfield β a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1919 mi Β· 33h 36m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Long Beach, Anaheim, Santa Ana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Irvine | 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 |
Overall cost of living drops 18.3% moving from Irvine to Springfield β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,557,982 in Irvine to $163,198 in Springfield, a 18.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Irvine -0.8%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Irvine | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 40.4" |
Expect 12.0Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Irvine | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $129,647 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 33.9 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.4% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.24 |
Expect median household income to fall 18.3% β $129,647 β $65,537 per ACS 5-year estimates (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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
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
How does household income compare in Irvine vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $129,647 in Irvine β a 49.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Irvine to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1919 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Springfield, IL from Irvine, CA?
The driving distance is 1919 mi and the route typically takes 33h 36m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Irvine?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $50,490 in the Irvine 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 much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Irvine?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $1,557,982 in Irvine β a 89.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Springfield more expensive than Irvine?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 18.3% lower than Irvine (92.745 vs 113.566, 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 Irvine.
City profiles: Irvine, CA Β· Springfield, IL.