Moving from Seattle, WA to Springfield, IL
Moving from Seattle, WA to Springfield, IL is a 2099 mi cross-country relocation β about 36h 35m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2099 mi Β· 36h 35m by car Β· WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β OR β ID β UT β WY β NE β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 84, US 30 |
| Major cities en route | Everett, Tacoma, Bellevue, Kent, Renton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Seattle | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 111.133 to 92.745, putting Springfield roughly 16.5% below Seattle on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Springfield: 16.5% below Seattle on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Seattle -2.3%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Seattle | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.8" | 40.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SEATTLE SAND PT WSFO, WA US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Seattle | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $121,984 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.6% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.1 | 2.24 |
Median household income in Springfield is 16.5% below Seattle ($121,984 vs $65,537, 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 Washington 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
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How far is Springfield, IL from Seattle, WA?
The driving distance is 2099 mi and the route typically takes 36h 35m via I 80 and I 84. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Seattle?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $65,260 in the Seattle MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Seattle vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $121,984 in Seattle β a 46.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Seattle?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $868,680 in Seattle β a 81.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Springfield more expensive than Seattle?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 16.5% lower than Seattle (92.745 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Seattle to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2099 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 Seattle.
City profiles: Seattle, WA Β· Springfield, IL.