Moving from Tallahassee, FL to Springfield, IL
It is 847 mi between Tallahassee and Springfield β roughly 16h 21m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
847 mi Β· 16h 21m by car Β· FL β AL β TN β KY β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β TN β KY β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 65, US 82, I 24 |
| Major cities en route | Montgomery, Birmingham, Huntsville, Murfreesboro, Clarksville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tallahassee | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.919 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.471 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.528 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Tallahassee and Springfield sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $291,127 in Tallahassee to $163,198 in Springfield, a 1.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Tallahassee +0.2%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tallahassee | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 58.8" | 40.4" |
Annual average temperature drops 15.6Β°F β 68.5Β°F in Tallahassee vs 52.9Β°F in Springfield, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TALLAHASSEE, FL US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tallahassee | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,696 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $55,931 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 28 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.3% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.24 |
Households in Springfield earn about 1.3% more at the median β 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 | 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 Florida 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-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.6Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Springfield, IL from Tallahassee, FL?
The driving distance is 847 mi and the route typically takes 16h 21m via I 65 and US 82. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Tallahassee?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $40,930 in the Tallahassee MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 181,050 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Springfield more expensive than Tallahassee?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 1.3% lower than Tallahassee (92.745 vs 93.919, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Tallahassee vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $55,931 in Tallahassee β a 17.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Tallahassee?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $291,127 in Tallahassee β a 43.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tallahassee to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 847 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tallahassee.
City profiles: Tallahassee, FL Β· Springfield, IL.