Moving from Naperville, IL to Santa Ana, CA
A 1990 mi cross-country move between Naperville and Santa Ana is 34h 53m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1990 mi Β· 34h 53m by car Β· CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β AZ β UT β CO β NE β IA β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Costa Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Naperville | Santa Ana | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Santa Ana runs about 9.6% more expensive overall than Naperville β RPP 103.595 β 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $610,454 in Naperville to $866,066 in Santa Ana, a 9.6% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Naperville +5.2%, Santa Ana -0.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Naperville | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 15Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 83Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.2" | 12.5" |
Annual average temperature jumps 16.9Β°F β 49.2Β°F in Naperville vs 66.1Β°F in Santa Ana, per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Santa Ana sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Naperville | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 311,639 |
| Median household income | $150,937 | $88,354 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38.8% | 12.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 3.91 |
Santa Ana households earn about 9.6% less than Naperville at the median β $150,937 β $88,354 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Ana MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Illinois and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- 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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Santa Ana sees only 12.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (16.9Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Santa Ana compare to Naperville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA vs $49,790 in the Naperville MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Santa Ana more expensive than Naperville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Ana is 9.6% higher than Naperville (113.566 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Naperville to Santa Ana?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1990 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Santa Ana, CA from Naperville, IL?
The driving distance is 1990 mi and the route typically takes 34h 53m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Naperville vs Santa Ana?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,354 in Santa Ana vs $150,937 in Naperville β a 41.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Santa Ana compared to Naperville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $866,066 in Santa Ana vs $610,454 in Naperville β a 41.9% higher 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 Β· Santa Ana, CA.