Living Cost Compare
Des Moines

Iowa

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

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $150,937 in Naperville, IL — about 58% higher in Naperville, IL. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA
Naperville, IL

Rent

Studio
$870
$1,713
+97% in Naperville, IL
1 Bedroom
$870
$1,594
+83% in Naperville, IL
2 Bedroom
$1,099
$1,889
+72% in Naperville, IL
3 Bedroom
$1,334
$2,446
+83% in Naperville, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$183,700
$509,900
+178% in Naperville, IL

Income

Median Household Income
$63,966
$150,937
+136% in Naperville, IL
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,820
$54,720
+6% in Naperville, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.6 yr
40.1 yr
+5.5 yr in Naperville, IL
Homeownership
60.4%
74.3%
+13.9 pp in Naperville, IL
Bachelor's+ (25+)
29.0%
71.7%
+42.7 pp in Naperville, IL
Avg Commute
19.6 min
31.4 min
+11.8 min in Naperville, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
707.3
85.7
+88% in Des Moines, IA
Property Crime
3,156.6
892.2
+72% in Des Moines, IA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
50.9°F
49.9°F
+1.0°F in Des Moines, IA
Annual Precipitation
36.0 in
36.9 in
+0.9 in in Naperville, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$3.94/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.1
23.9
+69% in Naperville, IL
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$15.72
$15.39
+2% in Des Moines, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.66
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.77
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / IL)
6%
6.25%
+0.3 pp in IL
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
4.95%
+1.2 pp in IL

Des Moines vs Naperville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Naperville?
Des Moines, IA 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 Des Moines than in Naperville?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $64,000 in Naperville.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Naperville?
Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% 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).