Moving from Springfield, MO to Kansas City, MO
The 169 mi from Springfield to Kansas City translate to about 3h 26m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
169 mi Β· 3h 26m by car Β· MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | MO 13, MO 7, US 71 |
| Major cities en route | Independence, Kansas City, Lee S Summit, Overland Park, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Kansas City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.585 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.825 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 65.568 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Kansas City and Springfield is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Springfield and Kansas City are within 5% of each other ($242,870 vs $250,208 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Springfield +1.9%, Kansas City +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 57Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 11.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.5" | 38.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Springfield (56.4Β°F) and Kansas City (56.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Kansas City averages 11.0 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US, KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Kansas City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 508,233 |
| Median household income | $45,984 | $67,449 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.7% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.13 | 2.32 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 4.5% between Springfield and Kansas City (ACS 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.
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.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Kansas City compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $250,208 in Kansas City vs $242,870 in Springfield β a 3.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Kansas City, MO from Springfield, MO?
The driving distance is 169 mi and the route typically takes 3h 26m via MO 13 and MO 7. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
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 169 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 Kansas City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,449 in Kansas City vs $45,984 in Springfield β a 46.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Kansas City more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Kansas City is 4.5% higher than Springfield (92.543 vs 88.585, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
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 $41,490 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 217,710 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, MO Β· Kansas City, MO.