Moving from Brownsville, TX to Springfield, IL
It is 1226 mi between Brownsville and Springfield β roughly 23h 11m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
1226 mi Β· 23h 11m by car Β· TX β AR β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 59, US 77, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Mcallen, Corpus Christi, Sugar Land, Pearland, Houston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Brownsville | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.975 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.15 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 57.72 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Springfield runs about 7.9% more expensive overall than Brownsville β RPP 85.975 β 92.745.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Springfield run about 7.9% cheaper β ZHVI $195,993 β $163,198 (2026-03).
YoY change: Brownsville +2.1%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Brownsville | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 51Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 40.4" |
Annual average temperature drops 21.5Β°F β 74.4Β°F in Brownsville vs 52.9Β°F in Springfield, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Brownsville | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $48,675 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 30.9 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.8% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 3.21 | 2.24 |
Springfield households earn about 7.9% more than Brownsville at the median β $48,675 β $65,537 on 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 | 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 Texas 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (21.5Β°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 much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Brownsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $195,993 in Brownsville β a 16.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Brownsville to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1226 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 Brownsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 154,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Springfield more expensive than Brownsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 7.9% higher than Brownsville (92.745 vs 85.975, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Springfield, IL from Brownsville, TX?
The driving distance is 1226 mi and the route typically takes 23h 11m via US 59 and US 77. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Brownsville vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $48,675 in Brownsville β a 34.6% higher 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 Brownsville.
City profiles: Brownsville, TX Β· Springfield, IL.