Moving from Omaha, NE to Springfield, IL
It is a 428 mi drive, roughly 8h 10m, between Omaha, NE and Springfield, IL. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
428 mi Β· 8h 10m by car Β· NE β IA β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | NE β IA β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 36, I 29, US 75 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Omaha | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.911 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 76.378 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.063 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.404 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Omaha 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 $294,189 in Omaha to $163,198 in Springfield, a 0.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Omaha +1.2%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Omaha | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 40.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 51.3Β°F vs 52.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OMAHA #1, NE US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Omaha | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $72,708 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.6% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.24 |
Households in Springfield earn about 0.9% 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 Nebraska 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Omaha to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 428 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 Omaha?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $47,580 in the Omaha MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 483,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Omaha vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $72,708 in Omaha β a 9.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Springfield, IL from Omaha, NE?
The driving distance is 428 mi and the route typically takes 8h 10m via US 36 and I 29. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Springfield more expensive than Omaha?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 0.9% higher than Omaha (92.745 vs 91.911, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Omaha?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $294,189 in Omaha β a 44.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Omaha.
City profiles: Omaha, NE Β· Springfield, IL.