Moving from Naperville, IL to Minneapolis, MN
It is a 398 mi drive, roughly 7h 31m, between Naperville, IL and Minneapolis, MN. 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.
398 mi Β· 7h 31m by car Β· MN β WI β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β WI β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, MN 55, I 90 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Madison, Rockford, Elgin, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Naperville | Minneapolis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 104.822 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 93.493 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 103.065 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 111.838 | 100.0 |
Naperville and Minneapolis sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $610,454 in Naperville to $330,882 in Minneapolis, a 1.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Naperville +5.2%, Minneapolis +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Naperville | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 46Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 8Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 34.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 49.2Β°F vs 45.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US, LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Naperville | Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 426,845 |
| Median household income | $150,937 | $80,269 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38.8% | 32.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.26 |
Minneapolis households earn about 1.2% less than Naperville at the median β $150,937 β $80,269 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Minneapolis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 233,400 | $49,210 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 158,540 | $40,720 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 154,580 | $81,780 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,950 | $31,400 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 144,720 | $46,500 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and Minnesota
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Minnesota'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
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Minneapolis compare to Naperville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA vs $49,790 in the Naperville MSA, on total employment of 1,911,030 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 Minneapolis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 398 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 Minneapolis compared to Naperville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $330,882 in Minneapolis vs $610,454 in Naperville β a 45.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Minneapolis, MN from Naperville, IL?
The driving distance is 398 mi and the route typically takes 7h 31m via I 94 and MN 55. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Minneapolis more expensive than Naperville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Minneapolis is 1.2% higher than Naperville (104.822 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Naperville vs Minneapolis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,269 in Minneapolis vs $150,937 in Naperville β a 46.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Naperville.
City profiles: Naperville, IL Β· Minneapolis, MN.