Moving from Springfield, IL to Lancaster, CA
A 1903 mi cross-country move between Springfield and Lancaster 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
| Springfield | Lancaster | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 92.745 in Springfield to 113.566 in Lancaster, putting overall prices 22.4% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 22.4% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $163,198 to $465,847 moving to Lancaster.
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Lancaster -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 6.8" |
Annual temperature rises 9.2Β°F moving to Lancaster per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, LANCASTER WM J FOX FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 170,013 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $76,083 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 34.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 12.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 3.26 |
Households in Lancaster earn about 22.4% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lancaster MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Lancaster average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Lancaster sees only 6.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Lancaster compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Lancaster MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 103,670 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Lancaster?
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.
Is Lancaster more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lancaster is 22.4% higher than Springfield (113.566 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Lancaster, CA from Springfield, IL?
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.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Lancaster?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,083 in Lancaster vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 16.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Lancaster compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $465,847 in Lancaster vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 185.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, IL Β· Lancaster, CA.