Moving from Springfield, IL to Kansas City, KS
It is a 317 mi drive, roughly 6h 8m, between Springfield, IL and Kansas City, KS. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
317 mi Β· 6h 8m by car Β· KS β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 36, MO 110, I 72 |
| Major cities en route | Overland Park, Olathe, Kansas City, Lee S Summit, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Springfield and Kansas City 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 $198,195 in Kansas City, a 0.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Kansas City +1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 38.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 52.9Β°F vs 56.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Expect 11.0 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, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 154,776 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $59,183 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 34 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.72 |
Households in Kansas City earn about 0.2% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kansas City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Kansas City average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Kansas City more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 0.2% lower than Springfield (92.543 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Kansas City, KS from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 317 mi and the route typically takes 6h 8m via US 36 and MO 110. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $59,183 in Kansas City vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 9.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Kansas City compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 103,670 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Kansas City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 317 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 Kansas City compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,195 in Kansas City vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 21.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, IL Β· Kansas City, KS.