Moving from Thornton, CO to Naperville, IL
It is 967 mi between Thornton and Naperville β roughly 17h 5m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
967 mi Β· 17h 5m by car Β· IL β IA β NE β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β IA β NE β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80 EXPRESS, I 80, I 76 |
| Major cities en route | Chicago, Joliet, Aurora, Elgin, Rockford |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Thornton | Naperville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 105.782 vs 103.595 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 2.1% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $502,945 to $610,454 moving to Naperville.
YoY change: Thornton -3.3%, Naperville +5.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thornton | Naperville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 49Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 15Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 84Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 44.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 40.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Thornton (52.4Β°F) and Naperville (49.2Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORTHGLENN, CO US, LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thornton | Naperville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 149,424 |
| Median household income | $100,985 | $150,937 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 38.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.88 | 2.75 |
Naperville households earn about 2.1% more than Thornton at the median β $100,985 β $150,937 on ACS 2023.
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 Colorado 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
- 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.
Frequently asked
How far is Naperville, IL from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance is 967 mi and the route typically takes 17h 5m via I 80 EXPRESS and I 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Naperville more expensive than Thornton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Naperville is 2.1% lower than Thornton (103.595 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Naperville compare to Thornton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Naperville MSA vs $58,490 in the Thornton MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Naperville compared to Thornton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $610,454 in Naperville vs $502,945 in Thornton β a 21.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Thornton vs Naperville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $150,937 in Naperville vs $100,985 in Thornton β a 49.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Thornton to Naperville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 967 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 Thornton.
City profiles: Thornton, CO Β· Naperville, IL.