Living Cost Compare
Augusta

Georgia

$1,120/mo est.

vs
Naperville

Illinois

$1,830/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,120 in Augusta, GA versus $1,830 in Naperville, IL. Overall, Augusta, GA is roughly 39% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Naperville, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,134 in Augusta, GA and $150,937 in Naperville, IL — about 65% 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.

Augusta, GA
Naperville, IL

Rent

Studio
$784
$1,713
+118% in Naperville, IL
1 Bedroom
$916
$1,594
+74% in Naperville, IL
2 Bedroom
$1,035
$1,889
+83% in Naperville, IL
3 Bedroom
$1,230
$2,446
+99% in Naperville, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$162,900
$509,900
+213% in Naperville, IL

Income

Median Household Income
$53,134
$150,937
+184% in Naperville, IL
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$45,990
$54,720
+19% in Naperville, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.9 yr
40.1 yr
+5.2 yr in Naperville, IL
Homeownership
50.9%
74.3%
+23.4 pp in Naperville, IL
Bachelor's+ (25+)
24.2%
71.7%
+47.5 pp in Naperville, IL
Avg Commute
20.6 min
31.4 min
+10.8 min in Naperville, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
546.7
85.7
+84% in Augusta, GA
Property Crime
3,652
892.2
+76% in Augusta, GA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
65.2°F
49.9°F
+15.3°F in Augusta, GA
Annual Precipitation
46.5 in
36.9 in
+9.6 in in Augusta, GA

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)
15.8
23.9
+51% in Naperville, IL
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$33.28
$15.39
+54% in Augusta, 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 Augusta, 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
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / IL)
4%
6.25%
+2.3 pp in IL
Income Tax (top rate)
5.19%
4.95%
+0.2 pp in GA

Augusta vs Naperville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Augusta or Naperville?
Augusta, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Augusta than in Naperville?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $37,000 a year in Augusta versus $64,000 in Naperville.
Which has lower taxes, Augusta or Naperville?
Augusta 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).