Moving from Naperville, IL to Colorado Springs, CO

It is 1046 mi between Naperville and Colorado Springs β€” roughly 18h 26m 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.

1046 mi Β· 18h 26m by car Β· CO β†’ NE β†’ IA β†’ IL

COL -2.8% Home values -26.4% Ξ” +1.3Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
1046 mi
Drive time
18h 26m
States
4
Fuel (25 mpg)
42 gal
Route throughCO β†’ NE β†’ IA β†’ IL
Primary highwaysI 80, I 76, I 88
Major cities en routeLakewood, Centennial, Aurora, Denver, Thornton

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

NapervilleColorado SpringsU.S. avg
All items (RPP)103.595100.707100.0
Rents83.58183.195100.0
Goods107.25896.052100.0
Services112.01116.207100.0

No material COL gap at the headline level β€” BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Naperville β€” typical home
$610,454
Colorado Springs β€” typical home
$449,452
Naperville β€” typical rent
$2,158/mo
Colorado Springs β€” typical rent
$1,700/mo

2.8% drop on the typical home value β€” a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.

YoY change: Naperville +5.2%, Colorado Springs -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsNapervilleColorado Springs
Annual avg temperature49Β°F51Β°F
January avg low15Β°F19Β°F
July avg high84Β°F87Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”32.5"
Annual precipitation40.2"15.9"

No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.

Heavy-snow city: expect 32.5 in of snowfall annually at Colorado Springs.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US, COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023NapervilleColorado Springs
Population149,424483,099
Median household income$150,937$83,198
Median age40.135.6
Bachelor's degree or higher38.8%25.2%
Avg household size2.752.44

Colorado Springs households earn about 2.8% less than Naperville at the median β€” $150,937 β†’ $83,198 on ACS 2023.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Naperville MSA β€” median wage
$49,790
Colorado Springs MSA β€” median wage
$49,310
Naperville MSA β€” employment
4,506,800
Colorado Springs MSA β€” employment
310,390

Top occupations in Colorado Springs MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 36,150 $44,860
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 31,520 $34,430
Sales and Related Occupations 30,370 $38,520
Business and Financial Operations Occupations 26,830 $79,240
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 21,400 $37,380

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Moving between Illinois and Colorado

Illinois income tax
4.95% top marginal
Colorado income tax
4.4% top marginal

State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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 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.

Winter driving along this route

  • Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β€” check CDOT alerts before departure.

State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.

Packing & arrival checklist

  • Winter gear first: Colorado Springs averages 32.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β€” pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
  • 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 Colorado after establishing residency.

Frequently asked

How much do homes cost in Colorado Springs compared to Naperville?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $449,452 in Colorado Springs vs $610,454 in Naperville β€” a 26.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

Is Colorado Springs more expensive than Naperville?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Colorado Springs is 2.8% lower than Naperville (100.707 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How does household income compare in Naperville vs Colorado Springs?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,198 in Colorado Springs vs $150,937 in Naperville β€” a 44.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

When is the best time to move from Naperville to Colorado Springs?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1046 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

How does the job market in Colorado Springs compare to Naperville?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA vs $49,790 in the Naperville MSA, on total employment of 310,390 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

How far is Colorado Springs, CO from Naperville, IL?

The driving distance is 1046 mi and the route typically takes 18h 26m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 4 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 Naperville.

City profiles: Naperville, IL Β· Colorado Springs, CO.

Related routes