Moving from Cape Coral, FL to Springfield, IL
It is 1181 mi between Cape Coral and Springfield β roughly 22h 1m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 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.
1181 mi Β· 22h 1m by car Β· FL β GA β TN β KY β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β GA β TN β KY β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 75, I 24, I 57 |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg, Tampa, Clearwater, Lakeland, Gainesville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cape Coral | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.349 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.901 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.113 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.4% cheaper overall in Springfield than Cape Coral on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.4% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cape Coral -8.4%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cape Coral | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 54Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 57.4" | 40.4" |
Annual average temperature gap of 22.5Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT MYERS PAGE FLD AP, FL US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cape Coral | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $76,062 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 48.7 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.24 |
Households in Springfield earn about 9.4% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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 Florida 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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (22.5Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Cape Coral?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $43,330 in the Cape Coral MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 290,450 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Cape Coral?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $338,302 in Cape Coral β a 51.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Cape Coral vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $76,062 in Cape Coral β a 13.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Springfield more expensive than Cape Coral?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 9.4% lower than Cape Coral (92.745 vs 102.349, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Springfield, IL from Cape Coral, FL?
The driving distance is 1181 mi and the route typically takes 22h 1m via I 75 and I 24. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Cape Coral to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1181 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cape Coral.
City profiles: Cape Coral, FL Β· Springfield, IL.