Moving from Springfield, MO to Fremont, CA
Cross-country relocations like Springfield, MO β Fremont, CA cover 1881 mi and about 33h 4m of driving through 6 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.
1881 mi Β· 33h 4m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Oakland, Hayward, San Mateo, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Fremont | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.585 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.825 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 65.568 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 30.5% pricier overall price level β 88.585 β 115.613 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Fremont typical home at $1,543,132 is 30.5% above Springfield at $242,870 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Springfield +1.9%, Fremont -4.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.5" | 14.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 56.4Β°F vs 59.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Fremont sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US, NEWARK, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 228,518 |
| Median household income | $45,984 | $176,350 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 38.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.7% | 32.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.13 | 2.97 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 30.5% between Springfield and Fremont (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fremont MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
- 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: Fremont sees only 14.4 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 household income compare in Springfield vs Fremont?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $176,350 in Fremont vs $45,984 in Springfield β a 283.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fremont compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,543,132 in Fremont vs $242,870 in Springfield β a 535.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Fremont?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1881 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 Fremont compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Fremont MSA vs $41,490 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 217,710 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Fremont more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fremont is 30.5% higher than Springfield (115.613 vs 88.585, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fremont, CA from Springfield, MO?
The driving distance is 1881 mi and the route typically takes 33h 4m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 6 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, MO Β· Fremont, CA.