Moving from Boulder, CO to Springfield, IL
It is 931 mi between Boulder and Springfield β roughly 16h 32m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
931 mi Β· 16h 32m by car Β· IL β MO β KS β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO β KS β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, US 36 |
| Major cities en route | Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City, Overland Park, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boulder | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Expect about 11.8% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Springfield at 92.745 vs Boulder at 105.202.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $964,531 to $163,198 moving to Springfield.
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Boulder | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 40.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Boulder (51.5Β°F) and Springfield (52.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.24 |
Springfield households earn about 11.8% less than Boulder at the median β $85,364 β $65,537 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Springfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,330 | $41,140 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,250 | $78,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,240 | $29,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 9,100 | $79,530 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,150 | $33,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Springfield more expensive than Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 11.8% lower than Boulder (92.745 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $964,531 in Boulder β a 83.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Boulder?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $64,750 in the Boulder MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 194,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Boulder to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 931 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Springfield, IL from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 931 mi and the route typically takes 16h 32m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Boulder vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $85,364 in Boulder β a 23.2% lower 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 Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO Β· Springfield, IL.