Moving from Springfield, IL to Moreno Valley, CA
Cross-country relocations like Springfield, IL β Moreno Valley, CA cover 1884 mi and about 33h 2m 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.
1884 mi Β· 33h 2m 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 10 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, San Bernardino, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Moreno Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 14.8% pricier overall in Moreno Valley than Springfield on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Moreno Valley typical home at $551,284 is 14.8% above Springfield at $163,198 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Moreno Valley -1.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 10.7" |
Climate warms by 10.4Β°F on the annual average β 52.9Β°F β 63.3Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, MARCH AFB, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Moreno Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 210,378 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $87,477 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 32.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 12.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 3.84 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 14.8% between Springfield and Moreno Valley (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Moreno Valley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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 Moreno Valley average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Moreno Valley sees only 10.7 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 (10.4Β°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
How much do homes cost in Moreno Valley compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $551,284 in Moreno Valley vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 237.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Moreno Valley compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Moreno Valley MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 103,670 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Moreno Valley more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Moreno Valley is 14.8% higher than Springfield (106.442 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Moreno Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,477 in Moreno Valley vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 33.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Moreno Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1884 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Moreno Valley, CA from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 1884 mi and the route typically takes 33h 2m 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· Moreno Valley, CA.