Moving from Tacoma, WA to Springfield, MO
Cross-country relocations like Tacoma, WA β Springfield, MO cover 2040 mi and about 35h 38m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2040 mi Β· 35h 38m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Kent, Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Meridian |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tacoma | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 88.585 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 85.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 94.193 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 65.568 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Springfield come in 20.3% under Tacoma β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Springfield typical home at $242,870 is 20.3% under Tacoma at $493,840 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tacoma -0.9%, Springfield +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tacoma | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.8" | 46.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 53.7Β°F vs 56.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TACOMA #1, WA US, SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tacoma | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 169,432 |
| Median household income | $83,857 | $45,984 |
| Median age | 37.3 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21% | 18.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.13 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 20.3% between Tacoma and Springfield (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 | 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.
Moving between Washington and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- 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.
- Register to vote in Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Tacoma?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,870 in Springfield vs $493,840 in Tacoma β a 50.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Springfield, MO from Tacoma, WA?
The driving distance is 2040 mi and the route typically takes 35h 38m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Tacoma to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2040 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Tacoma?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,490 in the Springfield MSA vs $65,260 in the Tacoma MSA, on total employment of 217,710 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Springfield more expensive than Tacoma?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 20.3% lower than Tacoma (88.585 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Tacoma vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,984 in Springfield vs $83,857 in Tacoma β a 45.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tacoma.
City profiles: Tacoma, WA Β· Springfield, MO.