Moving from Elgin, IL to Naperville, IL
It is a short 28 mi hop from Elgin, IL to Naperville, IL β roughly 51 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
28 mi Β· 51 min by car Β· IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | IL 59, US 20, US 34 |
| Major cities en route | Chicago, Joliet, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elgin | 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 |
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
0.0% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Elgin +3.2%, Naperville +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elgin | Naperville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 40.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ELGIN, IL US, LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elgin | Naperville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 149,424 |
| Median household income | $88,316 | $150,937 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 38.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.94 | 2.75 |
Naperville households earn about 0.0% more than Elgin at the median β $88,316 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.
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 Elgin vs Naperville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $150,937 in Naperville vs $88,316 in Elgin β a 70.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Elgin 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 much do homes cost in Naperville compared to Elgin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $610,454 in Naperville vs $329,682 in Elgin β a 85.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Naperville compare to Elgin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Naperville MSA vs $49,790 in the Elgin 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.
How far is Naperville, IL from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance is 28 mi and the route typically takes 51 min via IL 59 and US 20. 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 Elgin.
City profiles: Elgin, IL Β· Naperville, IL.