Moving from Lancaster, CA to Springfield, IL
A 1903 mi cross-country move between Lancaster and Springfield is 33h 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.
1903 mi Β· 33h 14m 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 | Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Victorville, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lancaster | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 18.3% moving from Lancaster 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 $465,847 in Lancaster to $163,198 in Springfield, a 18.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Lancaster -2.1%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lancaster | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 6.8" | 40.4" |
Annual temperature drops 9.2Β°F moving to Springfield per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD, CA US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lancaster | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $76,083 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 34.2 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.7% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.26 | 2.24 |
Households in Springfield earn about 18.3% less at the median β 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-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
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Lancaster?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $465,847 in Lancaster β a 65.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Lancaster?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $50,490 in the Lancaster MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Lancaster to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1903 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Lancaster vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $76,083 in Lancaster β a 13.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Springfield more expensive than Lancaster?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 18.3% lower than Lancaster (92.745 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Springfield, IL from Lancaster, CA?
The driving distance is 1903 mi and the route typically takes 33h 14m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lancaster.
City profiles: Lancaster, CA Β· Springfield, IL.