Moving from Naperville, IL to Chicago, IL
The drive from Naperville to Chicago covers 28 mi in about 45 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
28 mi · 45 min by car · IL
Distance & route
| Route through | IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 55, IL 83 |
| Major cities en route | Joliet, Aurora, Elgin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Naperville | Chicago | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Chicago and Naperville is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Chicago is 0.0% below Naperville — $610,454 vs $317,283 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Naperville +5.2%, Chicago +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Naperville | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 15°F | 20°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 81°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | — |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | — |
Annual average temperatures in Naperville (49.2°F) and Chicago (50.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US, CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Naperville | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 2,707,648 |
| Median household income | $150,937 | $75,134 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38.8% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.36 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 0.0% between Naperville and Chicago (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chicago 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 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Chicago, IL from Naperville, IL?
The driving distance is 28 mi and the route typically takes 45 min via I 55 and IL 83. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Naperville vs Chicago?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $75,134 in Chicago vs $150,937 in Naperville — a 50.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Naperville to Chicago?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% 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 — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Chicago compare to Naperville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Chicago MSA vs $49,790 in the Naperville 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 much do homes cost in Chicago compared to Naperville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $317,283 in Chicago vs $610,454 in Naperville — a 48.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Naperville.
City profiles: Naperville, IL · Chicago, IL.