Moving from Pittsburgh, PA to Naperville, IL
The 488 mi from Pittsburgh to Naperville translate to about 9h 10m behind the wheel through 4 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
488 mi Β· 9h 10m by car Β· PA β OH β IN β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | PA β OH β IN β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pittsburgh | Naperville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.671 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.711 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.684 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.986 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 9.4% pricier overall in Naperville than Pittsburgh on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Naperville typical home at $610,454 is 9.4% above Pittsburgh at $237,533 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Pittsburgh -0.4%, Naperville +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pittsburgh | Naperville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.3" | 40.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 52.4Β°F vs 49.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY CO AP, PA US, LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pittsburgh | Naperville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 149,424 |
| Median household income | $64,137 | $150,937 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.6% | 38.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.21 | 2.75 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 9.4% between Pittsburgh and Naperville (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 Pennsylvania 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
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Naperville more expensive than Pittsburgh?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Naperville is 9.4% higher than Pittsburgh (103.595 vs 94.671, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Naperville compared to Pittsburgh?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $610,454 in Naperville vs $237,533 in Pittsburgh β a 157.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Pittsburgh vs Naperville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $150,937 in Naperville vs $64,137 in Pittsburgh β a 135.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Naperville, IL from Pittsburgh, PA?
The driving distance is 488 mi and the route typically takes 9h 10m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Naperville compare to Pittsburgh?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Naperville MSA vs $47,360 in the Pittsburgh MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,071,900 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Pittsburgh to Naperville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 488 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 Pittsburgh.
City profiles: Pittsburgh, PA Β· Naperville, IL.