Moving from Springfield, IL to Los Angeles, CA
Cross-country relocations like Springfield, IL β Los Angeles, CA cover 1934 mi and about 33h 49m of driving through 7 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.
1934 mi Β· 33h 49m 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, Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Los Angeles | 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 |
Overall price level in Los Angeles runs 22.4% higher than Springfield β a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (92.745 β 113.566, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Los Angeles is 22.4% above Springfield β $163,198 vs $952,183 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 48Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 14.1" |
Climate warms by 10.9Β°F on the annual average β 52.9Β°F β 63.8Β°F.
Los Angeles gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 22.4% between Springfield and Los Angeles (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles 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
- Dry climate: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.9Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles 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 does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles 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.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 22.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 483.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1934 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 1934 mi and the route typically takes 33h 49m 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 Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, IL Β· Los Angeles, CA.