Moving from Durham, NC to Springfield, MO
It is 952 mi between Durham and Springfield β roughly 18h 4m 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.
952 mi Β· 18h 4m by car Β· NC β VA β TN β KY β IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β TN β KY β IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 60, I 40, US 52 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Cary, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Durham | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.572 | 88.585 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.317 | 85.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 94.193 | 100.0 |
| Services | 98.934 | 65.568 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 9.2% moving from Durham 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 $396,395 in Durham to $242,870 in Springfield, a 9.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Durham -2.5%, Springfield +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Durham | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.6" | 46.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 58.4Β°F vs 56.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DURHAM, NC US, SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Durham | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 169,432 |
| Median household income | $79,234 | $45,984 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 18.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.34 | 2.13 |
Springfield households earn about 9.2% less than Durham at the median β $79,234 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 North Carolina 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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- 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 much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Durham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,870 in Springfield vs $396,395 in Durham β a 38.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Durham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,490 in the Springfield MSA vs $58,480 in the Durham MSA, on total employment of 217,710 and 336,100 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Springfield more expensive than Durham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 9.2% lower than Durham (88.585 vs 97.572, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Durham vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,984 in Springfield vs $79,234 in Durham β a 42.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Durham to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 952 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 Durham, NC?
The driving distance is 952 mi and the route typically takes 18h 4m via US 60 and I 40. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Durham.
City profiles: Durham, NC Β· Springfield, MO.