Moving from Tulsa, OK to Springfield, IL
It is a 486 mi drive, roughly 8h 54m, between Tulsa, OK 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.
486 mi Β· 8h 54m by car Β· OK β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 55, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | Broken Arrow, Springfield, St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tulsa | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.214 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 73.856 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.235 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
4.0% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Tulsa +2.9%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tulsa | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.0" | 40.4" |
Annual temperature drops 8.4Β°F moving to Springfield per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TULSA INTL AP, OK US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tulsa | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 412,322 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $58,407 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.8% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.24 |
Households in Springfield earn about 4.0% 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 Oklahoma 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
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Tulsa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $217,450 in Tulsa β a 24.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Springfield more expensive than Tulsa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 4.0% higher than Tulsa (92.745 vs 89.214, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Tulsa vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $58,407 in Tulsa β a 12.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Tulsa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $43,140 in the Tulsa MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 443,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Tulsa to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 486 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Springfield, IL from Tulsa, OK?
The driving distance is 486 mi and the route typically takes 8h 54m via I 44 and I 55. 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 Tulsa.
City profiles: Tulsa, OK Β· Springfield, IL.