Moving from St. Paul, MN to Springfield, MO
The drive from St. Paul, MN to Springfield, MO runs 602 mi β about 11h 14m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
602 mi Β· 11h 14m by car Β· MN β IA β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β IA β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 35E, MO 13 |
| Major cities en route | Minneapolis, Des Moines, Kansas City, Kansas City, Independence |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| St. Paul | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 88.585 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 85.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 94.193 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 65.568 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Springfield are 15.5% below St. Paul β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: St. Paul β, Springfield +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | St. Paul | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 47Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 29.2" | 46.5" |
Climate warms by 9.9Β°F on the annual average β 46.5Β°F β 56.4Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PAUL DOWNTOWN AP, MN US, SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | St. Paul | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 169,432 |
| Median household income | $73,055 | $45,984 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 18.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.13 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 15.5% between St. Paul and Springfield (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 | 28,080 | $38,030 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 24,360 | $38,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 20,070 | $28,100 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,640 | $31,070 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,940 | $63,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Minnesota and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornadoes are common April through June β 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.
- Register to vote in Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from St. Paul to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 602 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 St. Paul vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,984 in Springfield vs $73,055 in St. Paul β a 37.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Springfield more expensive than St. Paul?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 15.5% lower than St. Paul (88.585 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to St. Paul?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,490 in the Springfield MSA vs $54,850 in the St. Paul MSA, on total employment of 217,710 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Springfield, MO from St. Paul, MN?
The driving distance is 602 mi and the route typically takes 11h 14m via I 35 and I 35E. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from St. Paul.
City profiles: St. Paul, MN Β· Springfield, MO.