Moving from Salem, OR to Springfield, MO
Cross-country relocations like Salem, OR β Springfield, MO cover 2014 mi and about 35h 4m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2014 mi Β· 35h 4m by car Β· OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Hillsboro, Portland, Vancouver, Gresham, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salem | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.649 | 88.585 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 104.689 | 85.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.261 | 94.193 | 100.0 |
| Services | 110.333 | 65.568 | 100.0 |
Springfield is 14.5% cheaper than Salem overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Springfield is 14.5% below Salem β $436,318 vs $242,870 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Salem +0.5%, Springfield +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Salem | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.1" | 46.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Salem (54.1Β°F) and Springfield (56.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SALEM MCNARY FLD, OR US, SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salem | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 169,432 |
| Median household income | $71,900 | $45,984 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.3% | 18.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.64 | 2.13 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 14.5% between Salem and Springfield (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 Oregon 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
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
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
When is the best time to move from Salem to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2014 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,490 in the Springfield MSA vs $48,750 in the Salem MSA, on total employment of 217,710 and 181,870 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Salem vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,984 in Springfield vs $71,900 in Salem β a 36.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Springfield more expensive than Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 14.5% lower than Salem (88.585 vs 103.649, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Springfield, MO from Salem, OR?
The driving distance is 2014 mi and the route typically takes 35h 4m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,870 in Springfield vs $436,318 in Salem β a 44.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salem.
City profiles: Salem, OR Β· Springfield, MO.