Cost of Living: Sunnyvale, CA vs Naperville, IL (2026)

Sunnyvale

California
341
VS

Naperville

Illinois
147

Sunnyvale is 132% more expensive than Naperville.

$3,065/mo ↑ 65%
Median Rent
$1,852/mo ↓ 40%
$181,862/yr ↑ 20%
Median Income
$150,937/yr ↓ 17%
$1,816,600 ↑ 256%
Home Value
$509,900 ↓ 72%
$3,016/mo ↑ 40%
Owner Costs
$2,161/mo ↓ 28%
153,455
Population
149,424

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.95%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
14.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sunnyvale, CA and Naperville, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 341 and 147 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,213/month cheaper in Naperville, saving renters about $14,556/year.

Median household income is $30,925/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sunnyvale is $1,816,600 compared to $509,900 in Naperville.

Illinois has a lower income tax rate, making Naperville slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sunnyvale vs Naperville — common questions

Is Sunnyvale or Naperville cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Naperville is cheaper to live in with an index of 147 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sunnyvale and Naperville?
Median rent in Sunnyvale is $3,065/month and in Naperville it's $1,852/month — a difference of $1,213/month.
Which city has higher income, Sunnyvale or Naperville?
Median household income is $181,862 in Sunnyvale and $150,937 in Naperville. Median household income is $30,925/year higher in Sunnyvale.
How do taxes compare between California and Illinois?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Sunnyvale or Naperville?
It depends on your priorities. Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with median rent of $3,065/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 Sunnyvale details → View Naperville details →

More Comparisons

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