Moving from Tempe, AZ to Springfield, IL
Moving from Tempe, AZ to Springfield, IL is a 1546 mi cross-country relocation β about 27h 40m of driving through 6 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1546 mi Β· 27h 40m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, AZ 77, I 44 |
| Major cities en route | Phoenix, Chandler, Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tempe | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 92.745 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 90.406 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 93.643 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 71.616 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Springfield are 10.2% below Tempe 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
Housing gap is large: Springfield typical home at $163,198 is 10.2% under Tempe at $468,281 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Tempe -1.7%, Springfield +8.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Tempe | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 72Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 19Β°F |
| July avg high | 106Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 40.4" |
NOAA normals show Springfield running 18.9Β°F below Tempe on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TEMPE ASU, AZ US, SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tempe | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 113,714 |
| Median household income | $77,643 | $65,537 |
| Median age | 29.9 | 40.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.24 |
Median household income in Springfield is 10.2% below Tempe ($77,643 β $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 Arizona 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 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (18.9Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Tempe?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $163,198 in Springfield vs $468,281 in Tempe β a 65.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tempe to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1546 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Springfield, IL from Tempe, AZ?
The driving distance is 1546 mi and the route typically takes 27h 40m via I 40 and AZ 77. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Springfield more expensive than Tempe?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 10.2% lower than Tempe (92.745 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Tempe?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,220 in the Springfield MSA vs $48,600 in the Tempe MSA, on total employment of 103,670 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Tempe vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,537 in Springfield vs $77,643 in Tempe β a 15.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tempe.
City profiles: Tempe, AZ Β· Springfield, IL.