Moving from Boise City, ID to Springfield, IL
A 1610 mi cross-country move between Boise City and Springfield is 27h 34m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1610 mi Β· 27h 34m by car Β· ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | ID β UT β WY β NE β IA β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 189, I 84 |
| Major cities en route | Meridian, Nampa, Salt Lake City, Lincoln |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boise City | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.391 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 70.695 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.179 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.58 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Expect about 5.7% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Springfield at 92.745 vs Boise City at 98.391.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Boise City β, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Boise City | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.6" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.5" | 40.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Boise City (53.2Β°F) and Springfield (52.9Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOISE AIR TERMINAL, ID US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boise City | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $81,308 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.24 |
Households in Springfield earn about 5.7% less 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 Idaho 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
- 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Boise City to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1610 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 Boise City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $45,320 in the Boise City MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 372,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Boise City vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $81,308 in Boise City β a 19.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Springfield, IL from Boise City, ID?
The driving distance is 1610 mi and the route typically takes 27h 34m via I 80 and US 189. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Springfield more expensive than Boise City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 5.7% lower than Boise City (92.745 vs 98.391, 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 Boise City.
City profiles: Boise City, ID Β· Springfield, IL.