Moving from Fayetteville, NC to Springfield, IL
Relocating 834 mi from Fayetteville to Springfield is a 16h 16m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
834 mi Β· 16h 16m by car Β· NC β VA β WV β OH β IN β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β VA β WV β OH β IN β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 35, I 77, I 74 |
| Major cities en route | Cary, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem, Dayton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fayetteville | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.978 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.779 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.081 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Fayetteville and Springfield sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $225,534 in Fayetteville to $163,198 in Springfield, a 0.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fayetteville +0.3%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fayetteville | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.9" | 40.4" |
Expect 9.0Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FAYETTEVILLE (PWC), NC US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fayetteville | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $56,395 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 30.7 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.6% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.24 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.8% higher in Springfield than Fayetteville.
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 North Carolina 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.
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-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Fayetteville to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 834 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Fayetteville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $41,480 in the Fayetteville MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 130,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Springfield more expensive than Fayetteville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 0.8% higher than Fayetteville (92.745 vs 91.978, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Springfield, IL from Fayetteville, NC?
The driving distance is 834 mi and the route typically takes 16h 16m via US 35 and I 77. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Fayetteville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $225,534 in Fayetteville β a 27.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fayetteville vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $56,395 in Fayetteville β a 16.2% 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 Fayetteville.
City profiles: Fayetteville, NC Β· Springfield, IL.