Moving from St. Paul, MN to Springfield, IL
Relocating 517 mi from St. Paul to Springfield is a 9h 23m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
517 mi Β· 9h 23m by car Β· MN β WI β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β WI β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 39, US 51 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis, Madison, Rockford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Paul | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.5% cheaper overall in Springfield than St. Paul on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Paul β, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Paul | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 40.4" |
Expect 6.4Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.24 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 11.5% lower in Springfield than St. Paul.
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 Minnesota 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Springfield compare to St. Paul?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Springfield more expensive than St. Paul?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 11.5% lower than St. Paul (92.745 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 517 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 St. Paul vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $73,055 in St. Paul β a 10.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Springfield, IL from St. Paul, MN?
The driving distance is 517 mi and the route typically takes 9h 23m via I 94 and I 39. 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 St. Paul.
City profiles: St. Paul, MN Β· Springfield, IL.