Moving from Boulder, CO to Springfield, MA
Cross-country relocations like Boulder, CO β Springfield, MA cover 1921 mi and about 34h 54m of driving through 10 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.
1921 mi Β· 34h 54m by car Β· MA β CT β NY β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | MA β CT β NY β PA β OH β IN β IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Hartford, Waterbury, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford |
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 | 96.061 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 154.996 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 97.015 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 75.781 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Springfield are 8.7% below Boulder β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Springfield typical home at $294,613 is 8.7% under Boulder at $964,531 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Springfield +3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Boulder | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 16Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 45.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 51.5Β°F vs 49.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, WESTFIELD BARNES MUNI AP, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 154,751 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $51,339 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 10.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.67 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 8.7% between Boulder and Springfield (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Massachusetts
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Massachusetts'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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- 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 8.7% lower than Boulder (96.061 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Springfield, MA from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 1921 mi and the route typically takes 34h 54m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
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 1921 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 Springfield compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $294,613 in Springfield vs $964,531 in Boulder β a 69.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Boulder vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,339 in Springfield vs $85,364 in Boulder β a 39.9% 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, MA.