Moving from St. Louis, MO to Springfield, MO
It is a 214 mi drive, roughly 4h 5m, between St. Louis, MO and Springfield, MO. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
214 mi · 4h 5m by car · MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 50, US 65 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 88.585 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 85.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 94.193 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 65.568 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.8% moving from St. Louis to Springfield — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis —, Springfield +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | St. Louis | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 46.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 58.0°F vs 56.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 169,432 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $45,984 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 18.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.13 |
Households in Springfield earn about 6.8% less at the median — ACS 5-year 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 | 28,080 | $38,030 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 24,360 | $38,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 20,070 | $28,100 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,640 | $31,070 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,940 | $63,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Tornadoes are common April through June — 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
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 214 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,490 in the Springfield MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 217,710 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Springfield, MO from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 214 mi and the route typically takes 4h 5m via I 44 and US 50. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,984 in Springfield vs $55,279 in St. Louis — a 16.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Springfield more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 6.8% lower than St. Louis (88.585 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO · Springfield, MO.