Cost of Living: Raleigh, NC vs Naperville, IL (2026)

Raleigh

North Carolina
110
VS

Naperville

Illinois
147

Raleigh is 25% cheaper than Naperville.

$1,468/mo ↓ 21%
Median Rent
$1,852/mo ↑ 26%
$82,424/yr ↓ 45%
Median Income
$150,937/yr ↑ 83%
$377,800 ↓ 26%
Home Value
$509,900 ↑ 35%
$1,487/mo ↓ 31%
Owner Costs
$2,161/mo ↑ 45%
470,763
Population
149,424

Tax Comparison

4.5%
Income Tax
4.95%
4.75%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

21.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
14.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Raleigh, NC and Naperville, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 110 and 147 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $384/month cheaper in Raleigh, saving renters about $4,608/year.

Median household income is $68,513/year higher in Naperville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Raleigh is $377,800 compared to $509,900 in Naperville.

North Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making Raleigh slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Raleigh vs Naperville — common questions

Is Raleigh or Naperville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Raleigh is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 147 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Naperville?
Median rent in Raleigh is $1,468/month and in Naperville it's $1,852/month — a difference of $384/month.
Which city has higher income, Raleigh or Naperville?
Median household income is $82,424 in Raleigh and $150,937 in Naperville. Median household income is $68,513/year higher in Naperville.
How do taxes compare between North Carolina and Illinois?
North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Raleigh or Naperville?
It depends on your priorities. Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with median rent of $1,468/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 Raleigh details → View Naperville details →

More Comparisons

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