Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Springfield, IL
A 1958 mi cross-country move between Thousand Oaks and Springfield is 34h 17m 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.
1958 mi Β· 34h 17m 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 | Oxnard, Simi Valley, San Buenaventura, Los Angeles, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thousand Oaks | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 16.1% moving from Thousand Oaks to Springfield β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks to $163,198 in Springfield, a 16.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 40.4" |
Annual temperature drops 9.6Β°F moving to Springfield per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.24 |
Springfield households earn about 16.1% less than Thousand Oaks at the median β $134,367 β $65,537 on ACS 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 | 14,330 | $41,140 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,250 | $78,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,240 | $29,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 9,100 | $79,530 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,150 | $33,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Thousand Oaks to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1958 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 Springfield compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 84.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Springfield more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 16.1% lower than Thousand Oaks (92.745 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Springfield, IL from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 1958 mi and the route typically takes 34h 17m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Thousand Oaks vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 51.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Thousand Oaks.
City profiles: Thousand Oaks, CA Β· Springfield, IL.