Moving from Springfield, MO to St. Louis, MO
Relocating between Springfield, MO and St. Louis, MO is a 214 mi drive — 4h 5m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
214 mi · 4h 5m by car · MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 50, US 65 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.585 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 85.825 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.193 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 65.568 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
St. Louis runs about 7.3% more expensive overall than Springfield — RPP 88.585 → 95.088.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Springfield +1.9%, St. Louis —. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Springfield | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 25°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 46.5" | 43.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 56.4°F vs 58.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $45,984 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.7% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.13 | 2.03 |
Expect median household income to rise 7.3% — $45,984 → $55,279 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- Tornadoes are common April through June — identify a safe room or interior space 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in St. Louis compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $41,490 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 and 217,710 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $45,984 in Springfield — a 20.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to St. Louis?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 214 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is St. Louis, MO from Springfield, MO?
The driving distance is 214 mi and the route typically takes 4h 5m via I 44 and US 50. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is St. Louis more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 7.3% higher than Springfield (95.088 vs 88.585, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, MO · St. Louis, MO.