Moving from Lakewood, CO to Naperville, IL
It is 985 mi between Lakewood and Naperville β roughly 17h 25m 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.
985 mi Β· 17h 25m by car Β· CO β NE β IA β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β NE β IA β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 76, I 88 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Arvada, Boulder, Westminster, Denver |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lakewood | Naperville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 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
Housing comes in 2.1% above Lakewood β $573,913 β $610,454 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Naperville +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakewood | Naperville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 40.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Naperville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 149,424 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $150,937 |
| Median age | 38 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 38.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.75 |
Naperville households earn about 2.1% more than Lakewood at the median β $85,789 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 Colorado 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
- 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 does household income compare in Lakewood vs Naperville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $150,937 in Naperville vs $85,789 in Lakewood β a 75.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Naperville compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $610,454 in Naperville vs $573,913 in Lakewood β a 6.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Naperville compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Naperville MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood 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.
Is Naperville more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Naperville is 2.1% lower than Lakewood (103.595 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Naperville, IL from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 985 mi and the route typically takes 17h 25m via I 80 and I 76. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Naperville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 985 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 Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO Β· Naperville, IL.