Moving from Houston, TX to Naperville, IL
It is 1053 mi between Houston and Naperville β roughly 19h 33m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1053 mi Β· 19h 33m by car Β· TX β AR β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, US 67, US 59 |
| Major cities en route | Pearland, Sugar Land, Pasadena, League City, Little Rock |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Naperville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 5.0% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 5.0% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $264,336 to $610,454 moving to Naperville.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Naperville +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Houston | Naperville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 40.2" |
Expect 21.4Β°F colder on average per year β plan for heating load and winter gear.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Naperville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 149,424 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $150,937 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 38.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.75 |
Naperville households earn about 5.0% more than Houston at the median β $62,894 β $150,937 on ACS 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.
Moving between Texas 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (21.4Β°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 far is Naperville, IL from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1053 mi and the route typically takes 19h 33m via I 55 and US 67. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Naperville more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Naperville is 5.0% higher than Houston (103.595 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Naperville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $150,937 in Naperville vs $62,894 in Houston β a 140.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Naperville compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Naperville MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Naperville compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $610,454 in Naperville vs $264,336 in Houston β a 130.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Houston to Naperville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1053 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX Β· Naperville, IL.