Moving from Cleveland, OH to Springfield, IL
It is 517 mi between Cleveland and Springfield β roughly 9h 41m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
517 mi Β· 9h 41m by car Β· OH β IN β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 80, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago, Joliet |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cleveland | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.923 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.967 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.434 | 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
1.3% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cleveland -1.9%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cleveland | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 33.3" | 40.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cleveland | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $39,187 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.5% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.18 | 2.24 |
Springfield households earn about 1.3% more than Cleveland at the median β $39,187 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 Ohio 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
Is Springfield more expensive than Cleveland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 1.3% lower than Cleveland (92.745 vs 93.923, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Cleveland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $115,537 in Cleveland β a 41.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Springfield, IL from Cleveland, OH?
The driving distance is 517 mi and the route typically takes 9h 41m via I 90 and I 80. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Cleveland to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 517 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Cleveland vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $39,187 in Cleveland β a 67.2% 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 Cleveland.
City profiles: Cleveland, OH Β· Springfield, IL.