Moving from Springfield, IL to Kent, WA
Moving from Springfield, IL to Kent, WA is a 2095 mi cross-country relocation β about 36h 33m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2095 mi Β· 36h 33m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Seattle, Tacoma, Renton, Bellevue, Nampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Kent | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 111.133 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 92.814 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 103.972 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 151.314 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Kent is 19.8% higher than Springfield, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Kent is 19.8% above Springfield β $163,198 vs $656,314 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Kent -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Kent |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 54Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 78Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 40.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Springfield (52.9Β°F) and Kent (53.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, KENT, WA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Kent |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 135,015 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $90,416 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 21.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.89 |
Median household income in Kent is 19.8% above Springfield ($65,537 vs $90,416, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Kent MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 225,240 | $54,470 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 197,190 | $97,870 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 190,190 | $48,950 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 171,820 | $140,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,750 | $40,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Washington
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Washington'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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- 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
- Wildfire season east of the Cascades peaks July through September; earthquake preparedness is standard west of the mountains.
- 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 Washington after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Kent compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $656,314 in Kent vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 302.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Kent compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $65,260 in the Kent MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 2,079,090 and 103,670 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Kent more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kent is 19.8% higher than Springfield (111.133 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Kent?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2095 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Kent?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,416 in Kent vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 38.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Kent, WA from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 2095 mi and the route typically takes 36h 33m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 8 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· Kent, WA.