Moving from Chicago, IL to Naperville, IL
Moving from Chicago, IL to Naperville, IL is a 28 mi drive, about 45 min by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
28 mi Β· 45 min by car Β· IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, IL 83 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Aurora, Elgin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Naperville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Chicago (103.595) and Naperville (103.595) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Naperville: 0.0% above Chicago on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Naperville +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Naperville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 40.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Naperville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 149,424 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $150,937 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 38.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.75 |
Median household income in Naperville is 0.0% above Chicago ($75,134 vs $150,937, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Naperville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Naperville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $150,937 in Naperville vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 100.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Naperville compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $610,454 in Naperville vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 92.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Naperville compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Naperville MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Naperville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 28 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Naperville, IL from Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 28 mi and the route typically takes 45 min via I 55 and IL 83. The trip crosses 1 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 Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Naperville, IL.