Moving from Santa Rosa, CA to Springfield, MO
Cross-country relocations like Santa Rosa, CA β Springfield, MO cover 1958 mi and about 34h 24m of driving through 6 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1958 mi Β· 34h 24m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Richmond, Fairfield, Berkeley, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Rosa | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 107.784 | 88.585 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.777 | 85.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 94.193 | 100.0 |
| Services | 139.569 | 65.568 | 100.0 |
Springfield is 17.8% cheaper than Santa Rosa overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Springfield is 17.8% below Santa Rosa β $718,726 vs $242,870 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Rosa -2.2%, Springfield +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Rosa | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 38Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 31.5" | 46.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Santa Rosa (59.0Β°F) and Springfield (56.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ROSA, CA US, SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Rosa | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,216 | 169,432 |
| Median household income | $97,410 | $45,984 |
| Median age | 40.5 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 18.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.13 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 17.8% between Santa Rosa and Springfield (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 | 28,080 | $38,030 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 24,360 | $38,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 20,070 | $28,100 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,640 | $31,070 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,940 | $63,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Santa Rosa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,490 in the Springfield MSA vs $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA, on total employment of 217,710 and 206,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Springfield, MO from Santa Rosa, CA?
The driving distance is 1958 mi and the route typically takes 34h 24m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Santa Rosa vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,984 in Springfield vs $97,410 in Santa Rosa β a 52.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Santa Rosa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,870 in Springfield vs $718,726 in Santa Rosa β a 66.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Santa Rosa 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.
Is Springfield more expensive than Santa Rosa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 17.8% lower than Santa Rosa (88.585 vs 107.784, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Rosa.
City profiles: Santa Rosa, CA Β· Springfield, MO.