Moving from New York, NY to Springfield, IL
It is 933 mi between New York and Springfield β roughly 17h 52m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 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.
933 mi Β· 17h 52m by car Β· NY β NJ β PA β WV β OH β IN β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | NY β NJ β PA β WV β OH β IN β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 276, PATP |
| Major cities en route | Yonkers, Jersey City, Newark, Paterson, Elizabeth |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| New York | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 112.563 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 127.018 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 110.261 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.616 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 17.6% cheaper overall in Springfield than New York on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
17.6% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: New York +4.5%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | New York | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 24.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.1" | 40.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NY AVE V BROOKLYN, NY US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | New York | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $79,713 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 38 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.6% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.24 |
Households in Springfield earn about 17.6% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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 New York 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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy 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
How does the job market in Springfield compare to New York?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $59,390 in the New York MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 9,495,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Springfield, IL from New York, NY?
The driving distance is 933 mi and the route typically takes 17h 52m via I 70 and I 276. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Springfield more expensive than New York?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 17.6% lower than New York (92.745 vs 112.563, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from New York to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 933 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to New York?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $812,861 in New York β a 79.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in New York vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $79,713 in New York β a 17.8% lower 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 New York.
City profiles: New York, NY Β· Springfield, IL.