Moving from Springfield, IL to Long Beach, CA
Cross-country relocations like Springfield, IL β Long Beach, CA cover 1934 mi and about 33h 52m of driving through 7 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.
1934 mi Β· 33h 52m 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 | Torrance, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Long Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level in Long Beach runs 22.4% higher than Springfield β a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (92.745 β 113.566, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Long Beach is 22.4% above Springfield β $163,198 vs $857,861 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Long Beach +0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 12.0" |
Climate warms by 12.0Β°F on the annual average β 52.9Β°F β 64.9Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 458,491 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $83,969 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 22.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 22.4% between Springfield and Long Beach (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Long Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Dry climate: Long Beach sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.0Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Long Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1934 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 Springfield vs Long Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,969 in Long Beach vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 28.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Long Beach more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Long Beach is 22.4% higher than Springfield (113.566 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Long Beach compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $857,861 in Long Beach vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 425.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Long Beach compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 103,670 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Long Beach, CA from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 1934 mi and the route typically takes 33h 52m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 7 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 Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, IL Β· Long Beach, CA.