Moving from Cambridge, MA to Springfield, MA
Relocating between Cambridge, MA and Springfield, MA is a 86 mi drive β 1h 48m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
86 mi Β· 1h 48m by car Β· MA
Distance & route
| Route through | MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 291, US 3 |
| Major cities en route | Hartford, Worcester, Providence, Lowell, Brockton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cambridge | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 96.061 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 154.996 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 97.015 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 75.781 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.3% cheaper overall in Springfield than Cambridge on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cambridge -1.5%, Springfield +3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cambridge | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 16Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 45.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JAMAICA PLAIN, MA US, WESTFIELD BARNES MUNI AP, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cambridge | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 154,751 |
| Median household income | $126,469 | $51,339 |
| Median age | 30.5 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.8% | 10.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.67 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.3% β $126,469 β $51,339 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
OEWS occupation data not available for these MSAs.
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 Cambridge?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $294,613 in Springfield vs $1,041,569 in Cambridge β a 71.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Springfield, MA from Cambridge, MA?
The driving distance is 86 mi and the route typically takes 1h 48m via I 90 and I 291. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Cambridge vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,339 in Springfield vs $126,469 in Cambridge β a 59.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Springfield more expensive than Cambridge?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 11.3% lower than Cambridge (96.061 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Cambridge to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 86 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 Cambridge.
City profiles: Cambridge, MA Β· Springfield, MA.