Moving from Naperville, IL to Rochester, MN
It is a 351 mi drive, roughly 6h 32m, between Naperville, IL and Rochester, 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.
351 mi Β· 6h 32m by car Β· IL β WI β MN
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β WI β MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 90, I 39, I 94 |
| Major cities en route | Chicago, Joliet, Aurora, Elgin, Rockford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Naperville | Rochester | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 90.821 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 87.389 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 95.433 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 78.628 | 100.0 |
Expect about 12.3% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Rochester at 90.821 vs Naperville at 103.595.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 12.3% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $610,454 to $339,455 moving to Rochester.
YoY change: Naperville +5.2%, Rochester +3.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Naperville | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 45Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 7Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 80Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 53.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 34.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Naperville (49.2Β°F) and Rochester (44.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Rochester averages 53.1 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US, ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Naperville | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 121,638 |
| Median household income | $150,937 | $87,767 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38.8% | 27.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.4 |
Rochester households earn about 12.3% less than Naperville at the median β $150,937 β $87,767 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Rochester MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 23,780 | $97,300 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 13,960 | $48,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,470 | $30,300 |
| Registered Nurses | 8,990 | $97,300 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 8,740 | $40,190 |
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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Rochester averages 53.1 in of snow per year on NOAA normals β pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Minnesota after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Rochester, MN from Naperville, IL?
The driving distance is 351 mi and the route typically takes 6h 32m via I 90 and I 39. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Rochester compared to Naperville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $339,455 in Rochester vs $610,454 in Naperville β a 44.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Rochester more expensive than Naperville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Rochester is 12.3% lower than Naperville (90.821 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Rochester compare to Naperville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,970 in the Rochester MSA vs $49,790 in the Naperville MSA, on total employment of 119,430 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Naperville vs Rochester?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,767 in Rochester vs $150,937 in Naperville β a 41.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Naperville to Rochester?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 351 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 Naperville.
City profiles: Naperville, IL Β· Rochester, MN.