Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Naperville?

Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Naperville?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $64,000 in Naperville.

Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Naperville?

Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Naperville under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Allentown vs Naperville Cost of Living 2026

Allentown

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Naperville

Illinois

$1,830/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,320 in Allentown, PA versus $1,830 in Naperville, IL. Overall, Allentown, PA is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Naperville, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,403 in Allentown, PA and $150,937 in Naperville, IL — about 65% higher in Naperville, IL. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Allentown, PA

Naperville, IL

Rent

Studio

$1,043

$1,713

+64% in Naperville, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,100

$1,594

+45% in Naperville, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,271

$1,889

+49% in Naperville, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,431

$2,446

+71% in Naperville, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$188,900

$509,900

+170% in Naperville, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$53,403

$150,937

+183% in Naperville, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,990

$54,720

+12% in Naperville, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

40.1 yr

+7.7 yr in Naperville, IL

Homeownership

42.3%

74.3%

+32.0 pp in Naperville, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

19.4%

71.7%

+52.3 pp in Naperville, IL

Avg Commute

24.8 min

31.4 min

+6.6 min in Naperville, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

274.5

85.7

+69% in Allentown, PA

Property Crime

1,591.5

892.2

+44% in Allentown, PA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.2°F

49.9°F

+1.3°F in Allentown, PA

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

36.9 in

+8.4 in in Allentown, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Naperville, IL

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.6

23.9

+11% in Naperville, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.17

$15.39

+20% in Allentown, PA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Allentown, PA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Naperville, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Allentown, PA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Allentown, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Allentown, PA

Average prices — Northeast vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / IL)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

4.95%

+1.9 pp in IL

Allentown vs Naperville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Allentown or Naperville?: Allentown, PA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Allentown than in Naperville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Allentown versus $64,000 in Naperville.
Which has lower taxes, Allentown or Naperville?: Allentown is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Naperville under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).