Moving from Springfield, MO to Fairfield, CA
It is 1926 mi and 33h 25m from Springfield to Fairfield β a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1926 mi Β· 33h 25m by car Β· MO β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 29, US 71 |
| Major cities en route | Overland Park, Lee S Summit, Olathe, Kansas City, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Fairfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.585 | 108.479 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.825 | 154.993 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 65.568 | 142.042 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Fairfield is 22.5% above Springfield β one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
22.5% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Springfield +1.9%, Fairfield -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 40Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.5" | 24.5" |
Expect 5.3Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Fairfield β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US, FAIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Fairfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 119,985 |
| Median household income | $45,984 | $102,321 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 36.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.7% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.13 | 3.16 |
Expect median household income to rise 22.5% β $45,984 β $102,321 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fairfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,510 | $51,200 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,960 | $36,120 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 12,440 | $43,450 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 12,220 | $37,910 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 10,450 | $34,840 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri 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
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- 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
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Fairfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1926 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Fairfield compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $609,269 in Fairfield vs $242,870 in Springfield β a 150.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fairfield, CA from Springfield, MO?
The driving distance is 1926 mi and the route typically takes 33h 25m via I 80 and I 29. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Fairfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $102,321 in Fairfield vs $45,984 in Springfield β a 122.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fairfield compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA vs $41,490 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 137,640 and 217,710 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Fairfield more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fairfield is 22.5% higher than Springfield (108.479 vs 88.585, 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 Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, MO Β· Fairfield, CA.