Moving from Springfield, IL to Wichita, KS
It is 508 mi between Springfield and Wichita β roughly 9h 21m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
508 mi Β· 9h 21m by car Β· KS β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | KS β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 36, MO 110, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Topeka, Olathe, Overland Park, Kansas City, Kansas City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Wichita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 88.946 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 88.459 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 66.245 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 92.745 vs 88.946 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.1% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $163,198 to $202,720 moving to Wichita.
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Wichita +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 12.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 34.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Springfield (52.9Β°F) and Wichita (57.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Wichita averages 12.7 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, WICHITA, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 396,488 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $63,072 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 19.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.52 |
Median household incomes in Springfield ($65,537) and Wichita ($63,072) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Wichita MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,200 | $38,160 |
| Production Occupations | 30,560 | $49,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 26,850 | $27,770 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 25,880 | $31,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,580 | $37,870 |
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
- Winter gear first: Wichita averages 12.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Wichita average 93Β°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 Wichita more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Wichita is 4.1% lower than Springfield (88.946 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Wichita compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,790 in the Wichita MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 303,910 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 Wichita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,072 in Wichita vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 3.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Wichita compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $202,720 in Wichita vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 24.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Wichita?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 508 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Wichita, KS from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 508 mi and the route typically takes 9h 21m via US 36 and MO 110. The trip crosses 3 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· Wichita, KS.