Moving from Springfield, IL to Sparks, NV
Moving from Springfield, IL to Sparks, NV is a 1825 mi cross-country relocation β about 31h 18m of driving through 7 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.
1825 mi Β· 31h 18m by car Β· IL β MO β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 36, US 24 |
| Major cities en route | Lincoln, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Reno |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Sparks | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 101.014 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 89.274 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 96.271 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 123.478 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Sparks is 8.9% higher than Springfield, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Sparks is 8.9% above Springfield β $163,198 vs $529,283 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Sparks -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 6.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 8.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Springfield (52.9Β°F) and Sparks (53.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Sparks averages 6.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, SPARKS, NV US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 109,106 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $86,979 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.64 |
Median household income in Sparks is 8.9% above Springfield ($65,537 vs $86,979, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sparks MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 30,990 | $45,200 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 30,330 | $42,130 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 23,210 | $30,270 |
| Management Occupations | 21,700 | $97,370 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,500 | $36,430 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Nevada
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nevada'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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Sparks average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Sparks sees only 8.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Nevada after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Sparks?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $86,979 in Sparks vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 32.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Sparks more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sparks is 8.9% higher than Springfield (101.014 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Sparks?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1825 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Sparks compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $529,283 in Sparks vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 224.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Sparks, NV from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 1825 mi and the route typically takes 31h 18m via I 80 and US 36. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Sparks compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,540 in the Sparks MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 254,100 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· Sparks, NV.