Moving from Springfield, MO to Elizabeth, NJ
It is 1172 mi between Springfield and Elizabeth β roughly 22h 8m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1172 mi Β· 22h 8m by car Β· MO β IL β IN β OH β WV β PA β NJ
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β IL β IN β OH β WV β PA β NJ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 76, PATP |
| Major cities en route | St Louis, Dayton, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.585 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.825 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 65.568 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Elizabeth is 27.1% more expensive than Springfield on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $242,870 in Springfield to $534,667 in Elizabeth, a 27.1% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Springfield +1.9%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 26Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.5" | 46.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 56.4Β°F vs 55.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Elizabeth sees 31.5 in a year on NOAA normals β budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $45,984 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.7% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.13 | 2.96 |
Elizabeth households earn about 27.1% more than Springfield at the median β $45,984 β $63,874 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elizabeth MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey'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-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Elizabeth averages 31.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- 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 New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $45,984 in Springfield β a 38.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Springfield, MO?
The driving distance is 1172 mi and the route typically takes 22h 8m via I 70 and I 76. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1172 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 27.1% higher than Springfield (112.563 vs 88.585, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $41,490 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 217,710 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $242,870 in Springfield β a 120.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, MO Β· Elizabeth, NJ.