Moving from Springfield, MO to Springfield, IL
It is a 312 mi drive, roughly 5h 57m, between Springfield, MO and Springfield, IL. 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.
312 mi Β· 5h 57m by car Β· MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 55, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.585 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.825 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 65.568 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 88.585 vs 92.745 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 4.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $242,870 to $163,198 moving to Springfield.
YoY change: Springfield +1.9%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 46.5" | 40.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Springfield (56.4Β°F) and Springfield (52.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $45,984 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.7% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.13 | 2.24 |
Springfield households earn about 4.7% more than Springfield at the median β $45,984 β $65,537 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Springfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,330 | $41,140 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,250 | $78,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,240 | $29,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 9,100 | $79,530 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,150 | $33,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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.
Frequently asked
Is Springfield more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 4.7% higher than Springfield (92.745 vs 88.585, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Springfield, IL from Springfield, MO?
The driving distance is 312 mi and the route typically takes 5h 57m via I 44 and I 55. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $41,490 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 217,710 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $45,984 in Springfield β a 42.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 312 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 Springfield compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $242,870 in Springfield β a 32.8% lower 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, MO Β· Springfield, IL.