Moving from Naperville, IL to Evansville, IN
It is a 309 mi drive, roughly 6h 47m, between Naperville, IL and Evansville, IN. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
309 mi Β· 6h 47m by car Β· IL β IN
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 41, SR 63, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Elgin, Joliet, Chicago |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Naperville | Evansville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 91.528 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 86.717 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 94.318 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 66.735 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 11.6% cheaper overall in Evansville than Naperville on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
11.6% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Naperville +5.2%, Evansville +3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Naperville | Evansville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 27Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 47.8" |
Annual temperature rises 9.9Β°F moving to Evansville per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US, EVANSVILLE MUSEUM, IN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Naperville | Evansville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 116,441 |
| Median household income | $150,937 | $52,251 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38.8% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.23 |
Evansville households earn about 11.6% less than Naperville at the median β $150,937 β $52,251 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Evansville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 17,860 | $38,480 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 16,890 | $36,600 |
| Production Occupations | 14,790 | $42,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 13,900 | $27,390 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 13,580 | $31,810 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Indiana
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Indiana'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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Evansville compare to Naperville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,930 in the Evansville MSA vs $49,790 in the Naperville MSA, on total employment of 152,180 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Naperville to Evansville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 309 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 Evansville compared to Naperville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $198,977 in Evansville vs $610,454 in Naperville β a 67.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Evansville, IN from Naperville, IL?
The driving distance is 309 mi and the route typically takes 6h 47m via US 41 and SR 63. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Naperville vs Evansville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $52,251 in Evansville vs $150,937 in Naperville β a 65.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Evansville more expensive than Naperville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Evansville is 11.6% lower than Naperville (91.528 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Naperville.
City profiles: Naperville, IL Β· Evansville, IN.