Moving from Clearwater, FL to Springfield, MO
It is 1053 mi between Clearwater and Springfield β roughly 21h 19m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 6 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.
1053 mi Β· 21h 19m by car Β· MO β AR β TN β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β AR β TN β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 78, US 19, US 98 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Birmingham, Montgomery, Tallahassee, Tampa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clearwater | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 88.585 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 85.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 94.193 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 65.568 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 12.2% moving from Clearwater to Springfield β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $339,488 in Clearwater to $242,870 in Springfield, a 12.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Clearwater -5.1%, Springfield +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clearwater | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 53.6" | 46.5" |
Annual average temperature drops 17.5Β°F β 73.9Β°F in Clearwater vs 56.4Β°F in Springfield, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US, SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clearwater | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 169,432 |
| Median household income | $64,440 | $45,984 |
| Median age | 46.4 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 18.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 2.13 |
Springfield households earn about 12.2% less than Clearwater at the median β $64,440 β $45,984 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 | 28,080 | $38,030 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 24,360 | $38,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 20,070 | $28,100 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,640 | $31,070 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,940 | $63,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Florida and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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.
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 (17.5Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Clearwater vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,984 in Springfield vs $64,440 in Clearwater β a 28.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Clearwater to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1053 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Springfield, MO from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance is 1053 mi and the route typically takes 21h 19m via US 78 and US 19. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Clearwater?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,490 in the Springfield MSA vs $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA, on total employment of 217,710 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Springfield more expensive than Clearwater?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 12.2% lower than Clearwater (88.585 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Clearwater?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,870 in Springfield vs $339,488 in Clearwater β a 28.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clearwater.
City profiles: Clearwater, FL Β· Springfield, MO.