| Index | Naperville | Illinois | National |
| Cost of living | 133 | 98 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 209 | 95 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 103 | 100 | 100 |

Knowing the cost of living in Naperville allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Naperville stands at 133, marking it 33% higher than the national average.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Naperville may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Naperville falls within this bracket.
When it comes to the cost of living in Naperville, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 108.5% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 16 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Naperville and this is how they responded. 38% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 63% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Is Naperville an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Naperville, the median home price is 129.4% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 59.8% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Naperville come in at $193,565, which is 138% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Naperville, the transportation index is 0.8% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Naperville, the groceries index is 1.2% higher than the national average.
The cost of living data for Naperville shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $226,954 | $18,913 | $5,295 | $6,809 |
| Renters | $110,586 | $9,216 | $2,580 | $3,318 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Illinois | 6.25% | 10.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Illinois | 4.95% | 4.95% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Fairmont, IL | 2,777 | 94 | 6.0% |
| Bellwood, IL | 19,287 | 99 | 1.0% |
| Berkeley, IL | 5,266 | 100 | 0.2% |
| Stone Park, IL | 4,997 | 100 | 0.4% |
| Crest Hill, IL | 20,983 | 101 | 0.7% |
| Naperville, IL | 151,582 | 133 | 32.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Bellevue, WA | 151,975 | 203 | 103.2% |
| Rockford, IL | 151,169 | 87 | 13.5% |
| Joliet, IL | 152,137 | 102 | 2.4% |
| Killeen, TX | 152,944 | 94 | 6.1% |
| Torrance, CA | 150,066 | 195 | 94.6% |
| Naperville, IL | 151,582 | 133 | 32.6% |