Moving from Rockford, IL to Springfield, IL
Relocating between Rockford, IL and Springfield, IL is a 195 mi drive β 3h 40m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
195 mi Β· 3h 40m by car Β· IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 51, I 39, I 55 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rockford | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.154 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.378 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 70.076 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.6% under Rockford β $177,225 β $163,198 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Rockford +9.9%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rockford | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 37.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.2" | 40.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, IL US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rockford | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,649 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $53,328 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.9% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 2.24 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.6% β $53,328 β $65,537 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Rockford vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $53,328 in Rockford β a 22.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Springfield more expensive than Rockford?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 0.6% higher than Rockford (92.745 vs 92.154, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Rockford?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $177,225 in Rockford β a 7.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Springfield, IL from Rockford, IL?
The driving distance is 195 mi and the route typically takes 3h 40m via US 51 and I 39. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Rockford?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $44,810 in the Rockford MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 138,920 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Rockford to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 195 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 Rockford.
City profiles: Rockford, IL Β· Springfield, IL.