Moving from Spokane, WA to Springfield, IL
It is 1798 mi and 31h 28m from Spokane to Springfield β a cross-country move across 9 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1798 mi Β· 31h 28m by car Β· WA β ID β MT β WY β SD β IA β NE β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | WA β ID β MT β WY β SD β IA β NE β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, US 14, SD 79 |
| Major cities en route | Spokane Valley, Billings, Sioux Falls, Omaha |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Spokane | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.346 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.196 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.028 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.059 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 7.6% cheaper overall in Springfield than Spokane on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
7.6% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Spokane 0.0%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Spokane | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 26Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.4" | 40.4" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPOKANE FELTS FLD, WA US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Spokane | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $65,745 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.24 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Springfield more expensive than Spokane?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 7.6% lower than Spokane (92.745 vs 100.346, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Spokane?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $395,325 in Spokane β a 58.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Spokane?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $48,920 in the Spokane MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 255,160 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Spokane vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $65,745 in Spokane β a 0.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Spokane to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1798 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Springfield, IL from Spokane, WA?
The driving distance is 1798 mi and the route typically takes 31h 28m via I 90 and US 14. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Spokane.
City profiles: Spokane, WA Β· Springfield, IL.