Packing up and moving to a new place is a great way to start a new chapter in your life, and moving to Naperville is just one of the great options out there. Naperville is a Chicago suburb that has a lot to offer its residents. Naperville is about 30 miles from Illinois’ main city and has a community all its own waiting for you to make it your new home.
Whether you’re planning to move to Naperville because you got a new job there or just want a fresh start, we’ve gathered everything you need to know about the city before you commit. Let’s take a look at the real estate market, housing costs, the job opportunities, and more so you can feel prepared for your big move to Naperville.
A Strong and Competitive Real Estate Market
When you’re moving to Naperville, finding a place to live should be high on your list of things to do. The real estate market there is strong and competitive. You’ll find all sorts of homes ranging from single-family homes to condos to townhomes at a variety of housing costs.
The median home price in Naperville is around $497.9K, but there are plenty of homes that sell for cheaper and on the higher end of the spectrum. The Naperville neighborhoods here are unique and have a personality all their own.
You’ll find more family-friendly neighborhoods like Acorn Hill Estates, where many Naperville residents with school-aged children live due to safety, excellent schools, and quality services. Young professionals love Downtown Naperville, where they can enjoy the fun nightlife and entertainment options. And they’re all generally safe places to live.
The Job Market is Thriving
Moving to a new place and not having a job can lead to stress, but the job market in Naperville is thriving. Regardless of your professional background, you’ll likely find a job here that you’ll love or will at least be a strong stepping stone to where you want to eventually be. The unemployment rate in Naperville is 3.2% too.
Naperville, Il, has a strong business presence and several legal, finance, accounting, technology, and consulting businesses regularly hiring for positions. These are some of the employment opportunities that attract many people to this Chicago suburb.
For those in healthcare, jobs are abundant in Naperville. The healthcare sector here is strong, with several hospitals, specialized clinics, and medical centers offering healthcare positions whether you’re a provider, working hands-on with patients, or are on the business side.
Being in the Midwest and close to Chicago, you’ll also find a lot of manufacturing and logistics positions here. Several industrial parks are involved in every step of the logistics process and provide a lot of job opportunities.
The technology and innovation sector is also booming in Naperville. You’ll find a lot of software companies, IT positions, and more for those who are interested or have experience in this sector.
Naperville might be the best place in the surrounding area for education positions. With one of the best school districts in the country, teachers, administrators, and other education providers love working here.
Lastly, the retail trade and hospitality industry is huge here. Whether you want something part-time or are passionate about the industry, there are a variety of shops, restaurants, and hotels that are constantly offering job opportunities to those in Naperville.
Moving to Naperville might come with a high cost of living compared to other places in Illinois or even other Chicago suburbs, but many Naperville residents think it’s worth it for the quality of life they enjoy here.
Some prominent companies and hospitals that are heavy providers in the job market in Naperville include:
- Tellabs
- OfficeMax
- Alcatel-Lucent
- Nalco Water
- Ecolab
- Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital
- Edward Hospital
- Naperville Surgical Centre
Terrific Weather
For those who want to live somewhere that they get to experience all four seasons, you can’t get much better than Naperville. You get beautiful, colorful springs and falls with snowy winters and warm summers here.
You truly get to experience all sorts of weather here and great temperatures (mostly) throughout the year. Keep in mind that the following information is based on past years, and it can change. Here’s a quick look at the average highs and lows throughout the year in Naperville:
- January: High of 30°F and a low of 15°F
- February: High of 34°F and a low of 18°F
- March: High of 44°F and a low of 26°F
- April: High of 57°F and a low of 26°F
- May: High or 68°F and a low of 47°F
- June: High of 77°F and a low of 47°F
- July: High of 82°F and a low of 63°F
- August: High of 80°F and a low of 61°F
- September: High of 72°F and a low of 52°F
- October: High of 60°F and a low of 40°F
- November: High of 45°F and a low of 29°F
- December: High of 32°F and a low of 18°F
When living in Naperville, you can expect, on average, 123 days of precipitation annually. This includes rain, snow, and any other type.
Natural disasters are something to be wary of wherever you move, but Naperville isn’t prone to many natural disasters, at least not frequently. Still, it’s good to be aware of potential weather emergencies you might experience when you live there, such as:
- Severe weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes
- Flooding
- Heatwaves in the summer
- Winter storms
Since Naperville is within one of the country’s several tornado alleys, you need to be prepared that they can happen, especially in the rainy season.
Luckily, tornadoes here are generally less severe than in other areas, so as long as you’re prepared, you shouldn’t let this deter you from moving to this beautiful city.
Outdoor Spaces Abound
Just because Naperville has a city feel in many ways doesn’t mean there aren’t beautiful outdoor spaces for you to take advantage of. You’ll often see people participating in outdoor activities or simply relaxing, especially in the summer and when the weather is nice.
One of the best outdoor spaces in Naperville is the Naperville Riverwalk. It’s picturesque and is in the perfect spot along the DuPage River. You’ll get great river views and see fountains, sculptures, and little bridges throughout the path.
Knoch Knolls Park is another popular outdoor spot. It has walking and biking trails, a little fishing lake, a playground for kids, and a nature center waiting for you to explore it.
Arguably the best outdoor space, especially in the summer, is Whalon Lake. The lake is 248 acres, and you’ll often see people canoeing, paddleboarding, fishing, and swimming there. There are also walking trails and green spaces for picnics.
Centennial Beach is a historic Naperville swimming area that you must visit. The swimming area is in an old quarry and features sandy beaches, water slides, diving boards, and picnic areas for people of all ages to enjoy. It’s always packed in the summer, but worth visiting.
These are just a few of the outdoor spaces in Naperville. There are dozens of other small parks you can enjoy, but be sure to check online for amenities to ensure the spaces have whatever you’re looking for before arriving.
Top-Notch Educational Opportunities
You might have noticed we mentioned that Naperville offers access to quality schools, actually some of the best schools in the country, so we have to touch on that a little bit more. Specifically, the 203 and 204 school districts are some of the best in the country. They’re officially known as the Community Unit School District 203 and Indian Prairie School District 204.
They also have a handful of excellent private schools, but with nationally recognized public school districts, you might not even care about shelling out the money for private schools.
Students who take the SAT and ACT college entrance exams receive scores that are constantly rated among the highest in Illinois and even in the nation, thanks to the high quality of the education system here.
Beyond the public school system, Naperville is home to several higher education institutions if you are pursuing a higher degree or are planning on having children and want them to have options in the area. Some of the higher education institutes in Naperville and nearby include:
- College of DuPage – Naperville Center
- Devry University Center – Naperville
- Benedictine University
- Northern Illinois University – Naperville Campus
- North Central College
Great Transportation
When moving to a new place, having a good idea of the transportation situation is vital. Even if you have a car, learning the best ways to get around can help you get acclimated to your new home faster.
You’ll see a lot more traffic in the Downtown Naperville area than in other parts of the city. That doesn’t mean traffic can’t get a little crazy throughout the city and more suburban areas too. Like other cities, traffic tends to be the worst in the morning and evening when people leave and go to work.
If you live or work in Downtown Naperville, finding a central area to park your car, if you have one, and then walking is probably your best bet. Naperville’s city website offers downtown parking maps to help alleviate stress.
The best part about Naperville, Il, is that you don’t have to have a car to get around other Chicago neighborhoods. Naperville has an excellent public transportation system. They have two commuter rail stations, one in Downtown Naperville and one on Route 59.
Besides their Metra commuter rail stations, you can take the Pace Bus. The Pace Bus is the premier transit provider, allowing people in suburban Naperville to get to and from work quickly.
They provide rush hour service! You can find the bus schedule and routes easily online so you know which time works best for you and the right route.
Exciting Attractions For All Ages
Naperville, Il, isn’t just a place for you to live and work. It’s an exciting city you’ll love calling home, thanks to all the fun and exciting attractions provided by the city and nearby areas. Besides all the great outdoor spaces, shopping, and delicious restaurants for you to try, several museums, festivals, and other events happen throughout the year.
One of the most exciting attractions in Naperville, Il, is the Naper Settlement. It’s a living history museum that shows what life was like in Naperville, Il, from the 19th century into the early 20th century. You’ll see historic buildings and interpreters in costume and learn more about the city’s history.
There’s also the DuPage Children’s Museum. It’s a hands-on experience for kids of all ages; even adults will have a good time. If you want to explore your new city, the Naperville Trolley Tours is a great way to do it. You’ll get to see all the best spots in Naperville by a vintage trolley and learn more about your new home.
There are also plenty of beautiful golf courses for those who enjoy golfing. One of the best is Naperbrook Golf Course because it’s a public course that’s stunning and challenging. For beer lovers, Naperville Ale Fest is a great attraction. It happens once a year, and you’ll get to see a wide selection of local and regional craft beer. You can sample the beer, try food, and listen to live music.
There’s a lot more to love about Naperville, Il, than just the above attractions, though. These are just a glimpse into what you can enjoy when living here.
Family-Friendly Community
While people of all ages love living in Naperville, you’ll see a lot of families living here with their kids because it’s one of the best family-friendly communities in Illinois.
Not only are the public schools some of the best, but the community itself also provides a loving, welcoming, and safe place for families to raise their children. Crime rates are generally low, making families feel much safer living in Naperville, particularly in suburban areas.
Some of the best family-friendly communities that you can live in in Naperville include:
- Saybrook
- Stillwater
- Cress Creek
- Ashbury
- Tall Grass
All of the above neighborhoods offer quality housing, and a family-friendly atmosphere, are close to schools, and have plenty of community amenities like pools, playgrounds, and other activities that make a living in them the best for families.
Besides the ones above, there are still plenty of other great neighborhoods for families to live in Naperville. It just depends on your preferences, the location you want to live in, and what you can afford.
Frequently Asked Questions: Moving to Naperville
If you’re thinking about packing up and moving to Naperville, Il, for whatever reason, you’re not alone. Moving, in general, can be a stressful time, but learning as much about the city as possible can ease your concerns. Here’s what others are asking about Naperville.
Is Naperville, Il, a good place to live?
Generally, Naperville, Il, is a good place to live. The city is often ranked high on surveys and lists of the best places to live! It has a thriving economy, a bustling downtown area, a high standard of living, great schools, and the best public library system in the country.
How much do you need to make to live in Naperville, Il?
How much money you’ll need to make to live in Naperville comfortably will depend on your preferences. Generally, to live comfortably, you need to make a little over $180K annually. But, many people in the city live happy lives on far less than that.
Why do people move to Naperville, Il?
People have all sorts of reasons for moving to Naperville, Il. Some of the main ones are that there’s a robust economy with a lot of high-paying jobs, it’s only 30 miles west of Chicago, the quality of life is high, there are great schools, and there’s a strong sense of community.
Is Naperville, Il, expensive to live in?
Many people think Naperville, Il is an expensive place to live, but you might not. The cost of housing is higher than the national average, and the city has some of the highest property taxes in the state.
Depending on how much you and your household earn, it can be expensive to live there, but it can also be affordable depending on your income. According to recent data, the median household income in Naperville is currently $135,772.
What is a livable annual salary in Illinois?
Liveable is subjective, but many people think that a liveable annual salary for a single adult in Illinois is between $31,000 and $43,000. Remember, this will not be liveable in all areas of the state due to a higher cost of living and job opportunities.
Which part of Naperville, Il, is best?
Since “best” is dependent on your lifestyle, income, and preferences, it’s hard to say definitively which part of Naperville, Il, is best. That being said, some of the best parts of Naperville that people love are the 203/204 school districts, Neuqua Valley, Riverwalk, Naperville North, and Downtown Naperville.
Is Naperville a walkable city?
Naperville is mostly a walkable city. There are parts of the city that aren’t as walkable as others, but Downtown Naperville and certain other areas are considered extremely walkable.
What is the income tax in Naperville, Il?
The income tax in Naperville, Il, is around 4.95% for individuals.
What is Naperville, Il, famous for?
Naperville, Il, is famous for a few things. Some of the most notable things include their school system, their historic downtown area, the Naperville Riverwalk, and how safe the city is compared to others of similar size and population.
Final Thoughts
If you’re thinking about moving to Naperville, Il, it’s a great decision. With so many great reasons to move here, you’ll love it. There are great job opportunities, a wonderful housing market, and plenty of things to do in the community.
You can search for properties in Naperville before you pack up and move. When you’re ready to start putting an offer or offers in on your potential new home, contact a local eXp agent so we can help the process go as smoothly as possible.
