Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Springfield, MO
It is 1613 mi and 27h 56m from Santa Ana to Springfield β a cross-country move across 6 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.
1613 mi Β· 27h 56m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Torrance, Costa Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | 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 |
Springfield sits 22.0% cheaper than Santa Ana on the BEA RPP, one of the larger gaps you will see between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $866,066 in Santa Ana to $242,870 in Springfield, a 22.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Springfield +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Ana | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 46.5" |
Expect 9.7Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 169,432 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $45,984 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 18.7% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 2.13 |
Expect median household income to fall 22.0% β $88,354 β $45,984 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 | 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
- 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
- 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
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1613 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 Santa Ana vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,984 in Springfield vs $88,354 in Santa Ana β a 48.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,870 in Springfield vs $866,066 in Santa Ana β a 72.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Springfield, MO from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 1613 mi and the route typically takes 27h 56m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Springfield more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 22.0% lower than Santa Ana (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 Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,490 in the Springfield MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA Β· Springfield, MO.