Moving from Centennial, CO to Naperville, IL

The drive from Centennial, CO to Naperville, IL runs 991 mi β€” about 17h 32m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.

991 mi Β· 17h 32m by car Β· IL β†’ IA β†’ NE β†’ CO

COL -2.1% Home values -6.0% Ξ” -1.0Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
991 mi
Drive time
17h 32m
States
4
Fuel (25 mpg)
40 gal
Route throughIL β†’ IA β†’ NE β†’ CO
Primary highwaysI 80 EXPRESS, I 80, I 76
Major cities en routeChicago, Joliet, Aurora, Elgin, Rockford

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

Cost of living

CentennialNapervilleU.S. avg
All items (RPP)105.782103.595100.0
Rents87.85683.581100.0
Goods100.957107.258100.0
Services146.919112.01100.0

Naperville and Centennial are close on the overall BEA RPP (105.782 vs 103.595); rent and services often drive the real difference.

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

Housing prices

Centennial β€” typical home
$649,086
Naperville β€” typical home
$610,454
Centennial β€” typical rent
$2,121/mo
Naperville β€” typical rent
$2,158/mo

Zillow typical home value is 2.1% lower in Naperville than Centennial as of 2026-03.

YoY change: Centennial -2.8%, Naperville +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsCentennialNaperville
Annual avg temperature50Β°F49Β°F
January avg low19Β°F15Β°F
July avg high87Β°F84Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”β€”
Annual precipitation15.0"40.2"

Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β€” 50.2Β°F vs 49.2Β°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.

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

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023CentennialNaperville
Population107,386149,424
Median household income$128,167$150,937
Median age41.840.1
Bachelor's degree or higher37%38.8%
Avg household size2.592.75

Income steps up 2.1%: $128,167 in Centennial vs $150,937 in Naperville.

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

Jobs & wages

Centennial MSA β€” median wage
$58,490
Naperville MSA β€” median wage
$49,790
Centennial MSA β€” employment
1,590,330
Naperville MSA β€” employment
4,506,800

Top occupations in Naperville MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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 Colorado and Illinois

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

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 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.

Frequently asked

How much do homes cost in Naperville compared to Centennial?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $610,454 in Naperville vs $649,086 in Centennial β€” a 6.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

Is Naperville more expensive than Centennial?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Naperville is 2.1% lower than Centennial (103.595 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How far is Naperville, IL from Centennial, CO?

The driving distance is 991 mi and the route typically takes 17h 32m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How does household income compare in Centennial vs Naperville?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $150,937 in Naperville vs $128,167 in Centennial β€” a 17.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

When is the best time to move from Centennial to Naperville?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 991 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 Naperville compare to Centennial?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Naperville MSA vs $58,490 in the Centennial MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Centennial.

City profiles: Centennial, CO Β· Naperville, IL.

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