Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Naperville?

Atlanta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $64,000 in Naperville.

Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Naperville?

Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Naperville under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Atlanta vs Naperville Cost of Living 2026

Atlanta

Georgia

$1,780/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 $1,780 in Atlanta, GA versus $1,830 in Naperville, IL. Overall, Atlanta, GA is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Naperville, IL, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $81,938 in Atlanta, GA and $150,937 in Naperville, IL — about 46% higher in Naperville, IL. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Atlanta, GA

Naperville, IL

Rent

Studio

$1,669

$1,713

+3% in Naperville, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,576

$1,594

+1% in Naperville, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,701

$1,889

+11% in Naperville, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,557

$2,446

+57% in Naperville, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$420,600

$509,900

+21% in Naperville, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$81,938

$150,937

+84% in Naperville, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,170

$54,720

+7% in Naperville, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.0 yr

40.1 yr

+6.1 yr in Naperville, IL

Homeownership

46.3%

74.3%

+28.0 pp in Naperville, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

58.4%

71.7%

+13.3 pp in Naperville, IL

Avg Commute

26.8 min

31.4 min

+4.6 min in Naperville, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

603.7

85.7

+86% in Atlanta, GA

Property Crime

3,548.3

892.2

+75% in Atlanta, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

62.6°F

49.9°F

+12.7°F in Atlanta, GA

Annual Precipitation

49.7 in

36.9 in

+12.8 in in Atlanta, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$3.94/gal

+2% in Naperville, IL

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

Adult base one-way fare — MARTA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.8

23.9

+51% in Naperville, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$15.39

+54% in Atlanta, GA

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 Atlanta, GA

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 (GA / IL)

6.25%

+2.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

4.95%

+0.2 pp in GA

Atlanta vs Naperville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Atlanta or Naperville?: Atlanta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,780 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Atlanta than in Naperville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Atlanta versus $64,000 in Naperville.
Which has lower taxes, Atlanta or Naperville?: Atlanta is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).