Moving from Elizabeth, NJ to Springfield, MO
It is 1172 mi between Elizabeth and Springfield β roughly 22h 8m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 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.
1172 mi Β· 22h 8m by car Β· MO β IL β IN β OH β WV β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL β IN β OH β WV β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 76, PATP |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Dayton, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elizabeth | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 88.585 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 85.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 94.193 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 65.568 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 21.3% cheaper overall price level β 112.563 β 88.585 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
21.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Elizabeth +3.3%, Springfield +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elizabeth | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 31.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.6" | 46.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US, SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elizabeth | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 169,432 |
| Median household income | $63,874 | $45,984 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.8% | 18.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.96 | 2.13 |
Springfield households earn about 21.3% less than Elizabeth at the median β $63,874 β $45,984 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 | 28,080 | $38,030 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 24,360 | $38,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 20,070 | $28,100 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,640 | $31,070 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,940 | $63,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between New Jersey and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Springfield, MO from Elizabeth, NJ?
The driving distance is 1172 mi and the route typically takes 22h 8m via I 70 and I 76. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Elizabeth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,490 in the Springfield MSA vs $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA, on total employment of 217,710 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Elizabeth to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1172 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 Elizabeth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,870 in Springfield vs $534,667 in Elizabeth β a 54.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Springfield more expensive than Elizabeth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 21.3% lower than Elizabeth (88.585 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Elizabeth vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,984 in Springfield vs $63,874 in Elizabeth β a 28.0% 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 Elizabeth.
City profiles: Elizabeth, NJ Β· Springfield, MO.