Moving from Des Moines, IA to Springfield, IL
Moving from Des Moines, IA to Springfield, IL covers 339 mi and about 6h 16m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
339 mi · 6h 16m by car · IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, IL 110, I 155 |
| Major cities en route | Cedar Rapids, Peoria |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Springfield and Des Moines is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Springfield is 1.1% below Des Moines — $208,166 vs $163,198 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 40.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Des Moines (50.9°F) and Springfield (52.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.24 |
Median household incomes in Des Moines ($63,966) and Springfield ($65,537) are within a few percent (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 Iowa 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 2.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines 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 339 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Springfield more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 1.1% higher than Des Moines (92.745 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 21.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Springfield, IL from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 339 mi and the route typically takes 6h 16m via I 80 and IL 110. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · Springfield, IL.