Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Naperville?

Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,490 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $64,000 in Naperville.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Naperville?

Neither — both are in Illinois, so they share the same state tax rates: a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Chicago vs Naperville Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/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 $1,490 in Chicago, IL versus $1,830 in Naperville, IL. Overall, Chicago, IL is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Naperville, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $150,937 in Naperville, IL — about 50% higher in Naperville, IL. Both cities are in Illinois, so state taxes are identical: a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Naperville, IL

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$1,713

+44% in Naperville, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$1,594

+27% in Naperville, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,889

+34% in Naperville, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$2,446

+57% in Naperville, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$509,900

+62% in Naperville, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$150,937

+101% in Naperville, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

about equal

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

40.1 yr

+4.4 yr in Naperville, IL

Homeownership

45.5%

74.3%

+28.8 pp in Naperville, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

71.7%

+28.4 pp in Naperville, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

31.4 min

+2.1 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

85.7

+84% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

892.2

+74% in Chicago, IL

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.7°F

49.9°F

+2.8°F in Chicago, IL

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

36.9 in

+1.1 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

about equal

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

about equal

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / IL)

6.25%

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

about equal

Chicago vs Naperville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Naperville?: Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,490 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Naperville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $64,000 in Naperville.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Naperville?: Neither — both are in Illinois, so they share the same state tax rates: 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).