Moving from Springfield, IL to Chattanooga, TN
Relocating between Springfield, IL and Chattanooga, TN is a 496 mi drive β 9h 31m 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.
496 mi Β· 9h 31m by car Β· TN β GA β KY β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β GA β KY β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 24, I 57, US 51 |
| Major cities en route | Murfreesboro, Clarksville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Chattanooga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 91.464 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 74.209 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 95.994 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 76.55 | 100.0 |
Springfield and Chattanooga sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $163,198 in Springfield to $319,579 in Chattanooga, a 1.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Chattanooga -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 55.0" |
Expect 9.0Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 3.6 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 182,832 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $61,028 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.35 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.4% lower in Chattanooga than Springfield.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chattanooga MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 34,970 | $39,520 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,430 | $36,320 |
| Production Occupations | 26,510 | $43,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,780 | $27,910 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,460 | $31,750 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Chattanooga average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Chattanooga averages 55.0 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Chattanooga?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 496 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Chattanooga more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chattanooga is 1.4% lower than Springfield (91.464 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Chattanooga compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $319,579 in Chattanooga vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 95.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Chattanooga compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 261,750 and 103,670 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Chattanooga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,028 in Chattanooga vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 6.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Chattanooga, TN from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 496 mi and the route typically takes 9h 31m via I 24 and I 57. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, IL Β· Chattanooga, TN.