Moving from Springfield, IL to Denton, TX
The drive from Springfield, IL to Denton, TX runs 734 mi β about 13h 27m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
734 mi Β· 13h 27m by car Β· TX β OK β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 77, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Irving, Frisco, Mckinney, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Denton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 11.2% pricier overall in Denton than Springfield on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Denton typical home at $354,135 is 11.2% above Springfield at $163,198 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Denton -4.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 38.4" |
Climate warms by 12.5Β°F on the annual average β 52.9Β°F β 65.4Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, DENTON 2 SE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 146,987 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $73,719 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.72 |
Income steps up 11.2%: $65,537 in Springfield vs $73,719 in Denton.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Denton average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (12.5Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Denton compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $354,135 in Denton vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 117.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Denton compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Denton MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 103,670 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Denton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,719 in Denton vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 12.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Denton more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denton is 11.2% higher than Springfield (103.09 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Denton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 734 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Denton, TX from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 734 mi and the route typically takes 13h 27m via I 44 and US 77. The trip crosses 4 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 Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, IL Β· Denton, TX.