Moving from Springfield, MO to Palmdale, CA
A 1583 mi cross-country move between Springfield and Palmdale is 27h 30m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 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.
1583 mi Β· 27h 30m by car Β· MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44 BUSINESS, US 66 HIST |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Norman, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Palmdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.585 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.825 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 65.568 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 88.585 in Springfield to 113.566 in Palmdale, putting overall prices 28.2% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 28.2% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $242,870 to $501,257 moving to Palmdale.
YoY change: Springfield +1.9%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.5" | 7.3" |
Annual temperature rises 7.2Β°F moving to Palmdale per NOAA normals.
Palmdale gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $45,984 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.7% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.13 | 3.56 |
Palmdale households earn about 28.2% more than Springfield at the median β $45,984 β $81,151 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale 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 Missouri 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Palmdale average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Palmdale sees only 7.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 does household income compare in Springfield vs Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $45,984 in Springfield β a 76.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Palmdale, CA from Springfield, MO?
The driving distance is 1583 mi and the route typically takes 27h 30m via I 40 and I 44 BUSINESS. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $242,870 in Springfield β a 106.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Palmdale more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palmdale is 28.2% higher than Springfield (113.566 vs 88.585, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1583 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA vs $41,490 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 217,710 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, MO Β· Palmdale, CA.