Moving from Springfield, IL to Ontario, CA
Moving from Springfield, IL to Ontario, CA is a 1885 mi cross-country relocation β about 32h 53m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1885 mi Β· 32h 53m 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 | Anaheim, Riverside, Santa Ana, Irvine, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Ontario | 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 Ontario than Springfield on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Ontario typical home at $672,742 is 14.8% above Springfield at $163,198 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 11.6" |
Ontario runs 13.9Β°F warmer on the annual average (52.9Β°F vs 66.8Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 3.39 |
Median household income in Ontario is 14.8% above Springfield ($65,537 vs $82,806, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Ontario 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 Ontario 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: Ontario sees only 11.6 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 (13.9Β°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
How far is Ontario, CA from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 1885 mi and the route typically takes 32h 53m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1885 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Ontario compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario 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 Ontario more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario 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 Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 26.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Ontario compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 312.2% 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· Ontario, CA.