Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Naperville?

Annapolis, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,820 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Naperville?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% 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).

Annapolis vs Naperville Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/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 $1,820 in Annapolis, MD versus $1,830 in Naperville, IL. Overall, Annapolis, MD is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Naperville, IL, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $150,937 in Naperville, IL — about 31% higher in Naperville, IL. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Naperville, IL

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$1,713

+38% in Naperville, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$1,594

+0% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$1,889

+1% in Naperville, IL

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$2,446

+10% in Naperville, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$509,900

+0% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$150,937

+45% in Naperville, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$54,720

+7% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

40.1 yr

+0.8 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

74.3%

+14.5 pp in Naperville, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

71.7%

+18.0 pp in Naperville, IL

Avg Commute

28.7 min

31.4 min

+2.7 min in Naperville, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

85.7

+89% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

892.2

+58% in Annapolis, MD

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

49.9°F

+7.2°F in Annapolis, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

36.9 in

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)

21.8

23.9

+10% in Naperville, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$15.39

+19% in Annapolis, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Naperville, IL

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Annapolis, MD

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Naperville, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Naperville, IL

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Naperville, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / IL)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

4.95%

+1.5 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Naperville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Naperville?: Annapolis, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,820 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Naperville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $64,000 in Naperville.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Naperville?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% 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).