Moving from Springfield, IL to Oklahoma City, OK
A move from Springfield, IL to Oklahoma City, OK covers 595 mi and around 10h 47m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
595 mi Β· 10h 47m by car Β· OK β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | OK β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 55, OK 66 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Springfield, St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Oklahoma City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Oklahoma City and Springfield is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Oklahoma City is 2.5% above Springfield β $163,198 vs $206,713 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Oklahoma City -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 27Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 6.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 36.4" |
Oklahoma City runs 7.2Β°F warmer on the annual average (52.9Β°F vs 60.1Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Oklahoma City averages 6.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Oklahoma City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 688,693 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $66,702 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 35 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 21.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.5 |
Median household incomes in Springfield ($65,537) and Oklahoma City ($66,702) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oklahoma City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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 Oklahoma City average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June β identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Oklahoma City, OK from Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 595 mi and the route typically takes 10h 47m via I 44 and I 55. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Oklahoma City compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $206,713 in Oklahoma City vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 26.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Oklahoma City?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 595 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Oklahoma City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,702 in Oklahoma City vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 1.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Oklahoma City more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Oklahoma City is 2.5% lower than Springfield (90.408 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Oklahoma City compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 656,800 and 103,670 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, IL Β· Oklahoma City, OK.