Cost of Living: Chicago, IL vs Naperville, IL (2026)

Chicago

Illinois
100
VS

Naperville

Illinois
147

Chicago is 32% cheaper than Naperville.

$1,380/mo ↓ 25%
Median Rent
$1,852/mo ↑ 34%
$75,134/yr ↓ 50%
Median Income
$150,937/yr ↑ 101%
$315,200 ↓ 38%
Home Value
$509,900 ↑ 62%
$1,502/mo ↓ 30%
Owner Costs
$2,161/mo ↑ 44%
2,707,648
Population
149,424

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
4.95%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
2.07%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

22.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
14.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Chicago, IL and Naperville, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 147 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $472/month cheaper in Chicago, saving renters about $5,664/year.

Median household income is $75,803/year higher in Naperville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Chicago is $315,200 compared to $509,900 in Naperville.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in Illinois.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago vs Naperville — common questions

Is Chicago or Naperville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Chicago is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 147 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Chicago and Naperville?
Median rent in Chicago is $1,380/month and in Naperville it's $1,852/month — a difference of $472/month.
Which city has higher income, Chicago or Naperville?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago and $150,937 in Naperville. Median household income is $75,803/year higher in Naperville.
How do taxes compare between Illinois and Illinois?
Both cities are in Illinois and share the same state tax rates: 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Chicago or Naperville?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,380/mo, while Naperville has a cost index of 147 with rent of $1,852/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Chicago details → View Naperville details →

More Comparisons

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