Moving from Springfield, IL to Memphis, TN
It is a 386 mi drive, roughly 7h 6m, between Springfield, IL and Memphis, TN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
386 mi Β· 7h 6m by car Β· TN β AR β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TN β AR β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 78, US 40 |
| Major cities en route | St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Memphis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 92.179 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 74.097 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 96.221 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 79.807 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.6% under Springfield β $163,198 β $144,710 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Memphis -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 33Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 2.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 54.9" |
Annual temperature rises 10.5Β°F moving to Memphis per NOAA normals.
Light snow year: Memphis gets around 2.7 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, MEMPHIS INTL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Memphis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 629,063 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $51,211 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.47 |
Memphis households earn about 0.6% less than Springfield at the median β $65,537 β $51,211 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Memphis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 106,230 | $38,330 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 83,120 | $40,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 51,140 | $28,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 50,680 | $32,680 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 39,480 | $73,120 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee'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 the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Memphis average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Memphis averages 54.9 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.5Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Memphis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,211 in Memphis vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 21.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Memphis, TN from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 386 mi and the route typically takes 7h 6m via I 55 and US 78. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Memphis more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Memphis is 0.6% lower than Springfield (92.179 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Memphis compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,400 in the Memphis MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 625,340 and 103,670 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Memphis compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $144,710 in Memphis vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 11.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Memphis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 386 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 Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, IL Β· Memphis, TN.