Moving from Columbus, GA to Springfield, IL
A move from Columbus, GA to Springfield, IL covers 710 mi and around 13h 31m 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.
710 mi Β· 13h 31m by car Β· GA β TN β KY β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | GA β TN β KY β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, I 75, I 57 |
| Major cities en route | South Fulton, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Chattanooga, Murfreesboro |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbus | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.296 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.666 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.332 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 61.185 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Springfield and Columbus is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Springfield is 3.9% below Columbus ($163,198 vs $173,152 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Columbus +1.2%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Columbus | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 51.8" | 40.4" |
Springfield is 10.8Β°F cooler on the annual average (63.7Β°F vs 52.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLUMBUS #2, GA US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbus | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $56,622 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.6% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.24 |
Median household income in Springfield is 3.9% above Columbus ($56,622 β $65,537, 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 Georgia 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 (10.8Β°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 far is Springfield, IL from Columbus, GA?
The driving distance is 710 mi and the route typically takes 13h 31m via I 24 and I 75. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Columbus?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $38,490 in the Columbus MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 113,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Springfield more expensive than Columbus?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 3.9% higher than Columbus (92.745 vs 89.296, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Columbus?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $173,152 in Columbus β a 5.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Columbus vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $56,622 in Columbus β a 15.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Columbus to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 710 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 Columbus.
City profiles: Columbus, GA Β· Springfield, IL.