Moving from Elk Grove, CA to Springfield, IL
Moving from Elk Grove, CA to Springfield, IL is a 1973 mi cross-country relocation β about 34h of driving through 8 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.
1973 mi Β· 34h by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β IA β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β IA β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 36, I 29 |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Roseville, Reno, Sparks, Salt Lake City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elk Grove | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Springfield are 13.1% below Elk Grove β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Springfield typical home at $163,198 is 13.1% under Elk Grove at $637,450 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Elk Grove -3.5%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elk Grove | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 18.1" | 40.4" |
Springfield is 8.9Β°F cooler on the annual average (61.8Β°F vs 52.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elk Grove | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $122,229 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 39 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.24 | 2.24 |
Median household income in Springfield is 13.1% below Elk Grove ($122,229 vs $65,537, ACS 5-year 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
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Elk Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $637,450 in Elk Grove β a 74.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Elk Grove vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $122,229 in Elk Grove β a 46.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Springfield more expensive than Elk Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 13.1% lower than Elk Grove (92.745 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Springfield, IL from Elk Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 1973 mi and the route typically takes 34h via I 80 and US 36. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Elk Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Elk Grove to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1973 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elk Grove.
City profiles: Elk Grove, CA Β· Springfield, IL.