Moving from Springfield, MO to Orlando, FL
A move from Springfield, MO to Orlando, FL covers 1051 mi and around 20h 52m of driving through 7 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.
1051 mi Β· 20h 52m by car Β· FL β GA β AL β MS β TN β AR β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β GA β AL β MS β TN β AR β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 22, I 75, US 63 |
| Major cities en route | Gainesville, Columbus, Birmingham, Memphis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Orlando | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.585 | 101.418 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.825 | 87.196 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 65.568 | 123.374 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 14.5% pricier overall in Orlando than Springfield on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Orlando typical home at $374,136 is 14.5% above Springfield at $242,870 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Springfield +1.9%, Orlando -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 50Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 46.5" | 51.5" |
NOAA normals show Orlando running 16.6Β°F above Springfield on the annual mean.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Orlando sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US, ORLANDO INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Orlando |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 311,732 |
| Median household income | $45,984 | $69,268 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.7% | 26.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.13 | 2.46 |
Median household income in Orlando is 14.5% above Springfield ($45,984 vs $69,268, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Orlando MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 181,030 | $39,680 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 159,660 | $30,310 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 150,100 | $35,810 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 118,970 | $36,790 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 93,670 | $73,450 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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 Orlando 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: Orlando averages 51.5 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Orlando, FL from Springfield, MO?
The driving distance is 1051 mi and the route typically takes 20h 52m via I 22 and I 75. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Orlando?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $69,268 in Orlando vs $45,984 in Springfield β a 50.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Orlando more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Orlando is 14.5% higher than Springfield (101.418 vs 88.585, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Orlando?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1051 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Orlando compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,120 in the Orlando MSA vs $41,490 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 1,366,800 and 217,710 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Orlando compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $374,136 in Orlando vs $242,870 in Springfield β a 54.0% 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· Orlando, FL.