Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Naperville?

Eugene, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $64,000 in Naperville.

Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Naperville?

Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Naperville under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Eugene vs Naperville Cost of Living 2026

Eugene

Oregon

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Eugene, OR versus $1,830 in Naperville, IL. Overall, Eugene, OR is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Naperville, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,836 in Eugene, OR and $150,937 in Naperville, IL — about 58% higher in Naperville, IL. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Eugene, OR

Naperville, IL

Rent

Studio

$1,011

$1,713

+69% in Naperville, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,080

$1,594

+48% in Naperville, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,411

$1,889

+34% in Naperville, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,674

$2,446

+46% in Naperville, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$435,400

$509,900

+17% in Naperville, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$63,836

$150,937

+136% in Naperville, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,680

$54,720

+10% in Naperville, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.4 yr

40.1 yr

+4.7 yr in Naperville, IL

Homeownership

47.6%

74.3%

+26.7 pp in Naperville, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.2%

71.7%

+27.5 pp in Naperville, IL

Avg Commute

18.6 min

31.4 min

+12.8 min in Naperville, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

319.6

85.7

+73% in Eugene, OR

Property Crime

3,348.9

892.2

+73% in Eugene, OR

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.5°F

49.9°F

+2.6°F in Eugene, OR

Annual Precipitation

46.1 in

36.9 in

+9.2 in in Eugene, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.94/gal

+23% in Eugene, OR

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

23.9

+47% in Naperville, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.59

$15.39

+25% in Eugene, OR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Eugene, OR

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Eugene, OR

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Naperville, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Eugene, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Naperville, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Eugene, OR

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OR / IL)

None

6.25%

+6.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

4.95%

+5.0 pp in OR

Eugene vs Naperville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Eugene or Naperville?: Eugene, OR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Eugene than in Naperville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Eugene versus $64,000 in Naperville.
Which has lower taxes, Eugene or Naperville?: Eugene is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no 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).