Is it cheaper to live in Bowling Green or Naperville?

Bowling Green, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 44% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Bowling Green versus $64,000 in Naperville.

Which has lower taxes, Bowling Green or Naperville?

Bowling Green is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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).

Bowling Green vs Naperville Cost of Living 2026

Bowling Green

Kentucky

$1,020/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 $1,020 in Bowling Green, KY versus $1,830 in Naperville, IL. Overall, Bowling Green, KY is roughly 44% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Naperville, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,419 in Bowling Green, KY and $150,937 in Naperville, IL — about 68% higher in Naperville, IL. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Bowling Green, KY

Naperville, IL

Rent

Studio

$878

$1,713

+95% in Naperville, IL

1 Bedroom

$833

$1,594

+91% in Naperville, IL

2 Bedroom

$960

$1,889

+97% in Naperville, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,214

$2,446

+101% in Naperville, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$232,100

$509,900

+120% in Naperville, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$48,419

$150,937

+212% in Naperville, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,040

$54,720

+21% in Naperville, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

27.9 yr

40.1 yr

+12.2 yr in Naperville, IL

Homeownership

37.3%

74.3%

+37.0 pp in Naperville, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.0%

71.7%

+39.7 pp in Naperville, IL

Avg Commute

18.8 min

31.4 min

+12.6 min in Naperville, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

231

85.7

+63% in Bowling Green, KY

Property Crime

2,984.4

892.2

+70% in Bowling Green, KY

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

58.0°F

49.9°F

+8.1°F in Bowling Green, KY

Annual Precipitation

49.9 in

36.9 in

+13.0 in in Bowling Green, KY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.0

23.9

+59% in Naperville, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.48

$15.39

+48% in Bowling Green, KY

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 Bowling Green, KY

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 (KY / IL)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

3.50%

4.95%

+1.5 pp in IL

Bowling Green vs Naperville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bowling Green or Naperville?: Bowling Green, KY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,020 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 44% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bowling Green than in Naperville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Bowling Green versus $64,000 in Naperville.
Which has lower taxes, Bowling Green or Naperville?: Bowling Green is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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).