Moving from San Mateo, CA to Naperville, IL
Cross-country relocations like San Mateo, CA β Naperville, IL cover 2123 mi and about 36h 38m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2123 mi Β· 36h 38m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 80 EXPRESS, I 88 |
| Major cities en route | Chicago, Joliet, Aurora, Elgin, Cedar Rapids |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Naperville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 115.613 to 103.595, putting Naperville roughly 10.4% below San Mateo on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Naperville: 10.4% below San Mateo on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Naperville +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Naperville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 40.2" |
Climate cools by 9.5Β°F on the annual average β 58.7Β°F β 49.2Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Naperville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 149,424 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $150,937 |
| Median age | 38 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 38.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.75 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Naperville 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.
Moving between California and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
How far is Naperville, IL from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 2123 mi and the route typically takes 36h 38m via I 80 and I 80 EXPRESS. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Naperville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $150,937 in Naperville vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 1.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Naperville compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Naperville MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Naperville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2123 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Naperville more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Naperville is 10.4% lower than San Mateo (103.595 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Naperville compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $610,454 in Naperville vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 63.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Naperville, IL.