Moving from Raleigh, NC to Springfield, IL
It is 820 mi between Raleigh and Springfield β roughly 15h 51m 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.
820 mi Β· 15h 51m 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, Durham, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Raleigh | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 5.5% cheaper overall in Springfield than Raleigh on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
5.5% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Raleigh -2.3%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Raleigh | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 49.4" | 40.4" |
Annual temperature drops 8.2Β°F moving to Springfield per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RALEIGH STATE UNIV, NC US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Raleigh | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $82,424 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.5% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.24 |
Springfield households earn about 5.5% less than Raleigh at the median β $82,424 β $65,537 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 | 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
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Raleigh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $433,996 in Raleigh β a 62.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Raleigh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $48,800 in the Raleigh MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Raleigh vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $82,424 in Raleigh β a 20.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Springfield more expensive than Raleigh?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 5.5% lower than Raleigh (92.745 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Springfield, IL from Raleigh, NC?
The driving distance is 820 mi and the route typically takes 15h 51m via US 35 and I 77. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Raleigh to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 820 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Raleigh.
City profiles: Raleigh, NC Β· Springfield, IL.