Moving from St. Louis, MO to Springfield, IL
Moving from St. Louis, MO to Springfield, IL covers 99 mi and about 1h 57m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
99 mi · 1h 57m by car · MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 40, I 70 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Louis | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.088 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 69.921 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.996 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 79.024 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for St. Louis (95.088) and Springfield (92.745) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Louis —, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | St. Louis | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58°F | 53°F |
| January avg low | 25°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 43.9" | 40.4" |
Springfield is 5.1°F cooler on the annual average (58.0°F vs 52.9°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Louis | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 36.6 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.03 | 2.24 |
Median household income in Springfield is 2.5% above St. Louis ($55,279 → $65,537, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Springfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 14,330 | $41,140 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 10,250 | $78,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,240 | $29,680 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 9,100 | $79,530 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,150 | $33,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Missouri and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in St. Louis vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $55,279 in St. Louis — a 18.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to St. Louis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 1,325,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Springfield more expensive than St. Louis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 2.5% lower than St. Louis (92.745 vs 95.088, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Springfield, IL from St. Louis, MO?
The driving distance is 99 mi and the route typically takes 1h 57m via I 55 and US 40. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from St. Louis to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 99 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 St. Louis.
City profiles: St. Louis, MO · Springfield, IL.