Moving from College Station, TX to Springfield, IL
A move from College Station, TX to Springfield, IL covers 864 mi and around 16h 10m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
864 mi Β· 16h 10m by car Β· TX β AR β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 67, I 30, US 167 |
| Major cities en route | Tyler, Little Rock, St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Springfield and College Station are close on the overall BEA RPP (90.951 vs 92.745); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Springfield typical home at $163,198 is 2.0% under College Station at $349,041 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | College Station | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 40.4" |
NOAA normals show Springfield running 16.5Β°F below College Station on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.24 |
Median household income in Springfield is 2.0% above College Station ($51,776 vs $65,537, 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 Texas 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (16.5Β°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 much do homes cost in Springfield compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $349,041 in College Station β a 53.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in College Station vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $51,776 in College Station β a 26.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from College Station to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 864 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Springfield more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 2.0% higher than College Station (92.745 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Springfield, IL from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 864 mi and the route typically takes 16h 10m via US 67 and I 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX Β· Springfield, IL.