Moving from Berkeley, CA to Springfield, IL
A 2036 mi cross-country move between Berkeley and Springfield is 35h 14m 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.
2036 mi Β· 35h 14m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 36, I 29 |
| Major cities en route | Oakland, Hayward, San Mateo, Richmond, Vallejo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Berkeley | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 19.8% moving from Berkeley 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 $1,443,684 in Berkeley to $163,198 in Springfield, a 19.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Berkeley -1.2%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Berkeley | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 74Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 26.1" | 40.4" |
Annual temperature drops 5.6Β°F moving to Springfield per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BERKELEY, CA US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Berkeley | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $108,558 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 32.9 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.4% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.24 |
Springfield households earn about 19.8% less than Berkeley at the median β $108,558 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-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Berkeley to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2036 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Springfield more expensive than Berkeley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 19.8% lower than Berkeley (92.745 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Berkeley vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $108,558 in Berkeley β a 39.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Berkeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Springfield, IL from Berkeley, CA?
The driving distance is 2036 mi and the route typically takes 35h 14m via I 80 and US 36. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Berkeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $1,443,684 in Berkeley β a 88.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Berkeley.
City profiles: Berkeley, CA Β· Springfield, IL.