Moving from Springfield, IL to Pasadena, CA
A 1913 mi cross-country move between Springfield and Pasadena is 33h 24m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1913 mi Β· 33h 24m 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 | Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Palmdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Pasadena | 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 |
Pasadena is 22.4% more expensive than Springfield on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $163,198 in Springfield to $1,209,228 in Pasadena, a 22.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Pasadena -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 20.1" |
Annual temperature rises 13.1Β°F moving to Pasadena per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Pasadena sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, PASADENA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 136,462 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $103,778 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 30% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.39 |
Pasadena households earn about 22.4% more than Springfield at the median β $65,537 β $103,778 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Pasadena 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
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.1Β°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
How much do homes cost in Pasadena compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,209,228 in Pasadena vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 641.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Pasadena?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1913 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 Pasadena?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $103,778 in Pasadena vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 58.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Pasadena, CA from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 1913 mi and the route typically takes 33h 24m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Pasadena more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Pasadena 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 does the job market in Pasadena compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Pasadena 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, IL Β· Pasadena, CA.