Moving from Philadelphia, PA to Springfield, MO
It is 1100 mi between Philadelphia and Springfield β roughly 20h 48m 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.
1100 mi Β· 20h 48m by car Β· PA β WV β OH β IN β IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | PA β WV β OH β IN β IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 76, PATP |
| Major cities en route | Pittsburgh, Columbus, Dayton, St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Philadelphia | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.554 | 88.585 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 114.389 | 85.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.833 | 94.193 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.141 | 65.568 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 13.6% moving from Philadelphia 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 for Springfield ($242,870) sits close to Philadelphia ($231,815) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Philadelphia +2.0%, Springfield +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Philadelphia | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 16.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 50.7" | 46.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 57.7Β°F vs 56.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PHILA FRANKLIN INST, PA US, SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Philadelphia | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 169,432 |
| Median household income | $60,698 | $45,984 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.4% | 18.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.13 |
Springfield households earn about 13.6% less than Philadelphia at the median β $60,698 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 Pennsylvania 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
- 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.
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 far is Springfield, MO from Philadelphia, PA?
The driving distance is 1100 mi and the route typically takes 20h 48m via I 70 and I 76. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Philadelphia to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1100 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 Philadelphia?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,490 in the Springfield MSA vs $50,160 in the Philadelphia MSA, on total employment of 217,710 and 2,829,560 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Philadelphia?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,870 in Springfield vs $231,815 in Philadelphia β a 4.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Philadelphia vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,984 in Springfield vs $60,698 in Philadelphia β a 24.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Springfield more expensive than Philadelphia?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 13.6% lower than Philadelphia (88.585 vs 102.554, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Philadelphia.
City profiles: Philadelphia, PA Β· Springfield, MO.