Moving from Worcester, MA to Springfield, MA
It is a 52 mi drive, roughly 1h 8m, between Worcester, MA and Springfield, MA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
52 mi · 1h 8m by car · MA
Distance & route
| Route through | MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 290, I 291 |
| Major cities en route | Hartford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Worcester | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.523 | 96.061 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 155.206 | 154.996 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 97.015 | 97.015 | 100.0 |
| Services | 113.001 | 75.781 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.3% cheaper overall in Springfield than Worcester on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
6.3% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Worcester +1.0%, Springfield +3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Worcester | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 17°F | 16°F |
| July avg high | 80°F | 85°F |
| Annual snowfall | 72.9" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 45.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WORCESTER RGNL AP, MA US, WESTFIELD BARNES MUNI AP, MA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Worcester | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 205,501 | 154,751 |
| Median household income | $67,544 | $51,339 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 10.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.67 |
Springfield households earn about 6.3% less than Worcester at the median — $67,544 → $51,339 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
OEWS occupation data not available for these MSAs.
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 Worcester vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,339 in Springfield vs $67,544 in Worcester — a 24.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Worcester 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 52 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Springfield, MA from Worcester, MA?
The driving distance is 52 mi and the route typically takes 1h 8m via I 90 and I 290. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Springfield more expensive than Worcester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 6.3% lower than Worcester (96.061 vs 102.523, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Worcester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $294,613 in Springfield vs $430,112 in Worcester — a 31.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Worcester.
City profiles: Worcester, MA · Springfield, MA.