Moving from Columbia, MO to Springfield, MO
Relocating between Columbia, MO and Springfield, MO is a 168 mi drive — 3h 22m 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.
168 mi · 3h 22m by car · MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 54, I 44, US 63 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Columbia | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.438 | 88.585 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.966 | 85.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 94.193 | 100.0 |
| Services | 69.248 | 65.568 | 100.0 |
Columbia and Springfield sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $321,091 in Columbia to $242,870 in Springfield, a 1.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Columbia +2.6%, Springfield +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Columbia | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 17.4" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 44.8" | 46.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 56.2°F vs 56.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: COLUMBIA U OF M, MO US, SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Columbia | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 169,432 |
| Median household income | $64,488 | $45,984 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.1% | 18.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.48 | 2.13 |
Expect median household income to fall 1.0% — $64,488 → $45,984 per ACS 5-year estimates (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.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Tornadoes are common April through June — 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Springfield, MO from Columbia, MO?
The driving distance is 168 mi and the route typically takes 3h 22m via US 54 and I 44. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Springfield more expensive than Columbia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 1.0% lower than Columbia (88.585 vs 89.438, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Columbia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,870 in Springfield vs $321,091 in Columbia — a 24.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Columbia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,490 in the Springfield MSA vs $44,410 in the Columbia MSA, on total employment of 217,710 and 97,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Columbia vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,984 in Springfield vs $64,488 in Columbia — a 28.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Columbia to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 168 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Columbia.
City profiles: Columbia, MO · Springfield, MO.