Moving from Springfield, MO to Oakland, CA
A 1896 mi cross-country move between Springfield and Oakland is 33h 11m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1896 mi Β· 33h 11m 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 | Vallejo, Concord, Berkeley, Richmond, Hayward |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Oakland | 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 |
BEA RPP climbs from 88.585 in Springfield to 115.613 in Oakland, putting overall prices 30.5% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 30.5% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $242,870 to $716,248 moving to Oakland.
YoY change: Springfield +1.9%, Oakland -8.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 72Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.5" | 22.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Springfield (56.4Β°F) and Oakland (59.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Oakland 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 WBO, MO US, OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 438,072 |
| Median household income | $45,984 | $97,369 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.7% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.13 | 2.53 |
Oakland households earn about 30.5% more than Springfield at the median β $45,984 β $97,369 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oakland 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
- 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 the job market in Oakland compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Oakland 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.
How far is Oakland, CA from Springfield, MO?
The driving distance is 1896 mi and the route typically takes 33h 11m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Oakland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1896 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 Oakland compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $716,248 in Oakland vs $242,870 in Springfield β a 194.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Oakland more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oakland 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 does household income compare in Springfield vs Oakland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,369 in Oakland vs $45,984 in Springfield β a 111.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, MO Β· Oakland, CA.