Is it cheaper to live in Fayetteville or Naperville?

Fayetteville, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Naperville, IL's $1,800, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Fayetteville or Naperville?

Fayetteville is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Naperville under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Fayetteville vs Naperville Cost of Living 2026

Fayetteville

Arkansas

$990/mo est.

Naperville

Illinois

$1,800/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $990 in Fayetteville, AR versus $1,800 in Naperville, IL. Overall, Fayetteville, AR is roughly 45% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Naperville, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $59,074 in Fayetteville, AR and $150,937 in Naperville, IL — about 61% higher in Naperville, IL. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Fayetteville, AR

Naperville, IL

Rent

Studio

$709

$1,713

+142% in Naperville, IL

1 Bedroom

$817

$1,594

+95% in Naperville, IL

2 Bedroom

$999

$1,889

+89% in Naperville, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,430

$2,446

+71% in Naperville, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$322,500

$509,900

+58% in Naperville, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$59,074

$150,937

+156% in Naperville, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,610

$54,720

+17% in Naperville, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

40.1 yr

+11.4 yr in Naperville, IL

Homeownership

41.9%

74.3%

+32.4 pp in Naperville, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

49.8%

71.7%

+21.9 pp in Naperville, IL

Avg Commute

18.2 min

31.4 min

+13.2 min in Naperville, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

429.4

85.7

+80% in Fayetteville, AR

Property Crime

2,392.2

892.2

+63% in Fayetteville, AR

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

49.9°F

+7.2°F in Fayetteville, AR

Annual Precipitation

48.5 in

36.9 in

+11.6 in in Fayetteville, AR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.85/gal

+6% in Naperville, IL

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

19.9

+41% in Naperville, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.86

$19.71

+29% in Fayetteville, AR

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 Fayetteville, AR

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 (AR / IL)

6.5%

6.25%

+0.3 pp in AR

Income Tax (top rate)

3.90%

4.95%

+1.1 pp in IL

Fayetteville vs Naperville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Fayetteville or Naperville?: Fayetteville, AR is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $990 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 45% below Naperville, IL's $1,800, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Fayetteville than in Naperville?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Fayetteville versus $64,000 in Naperville.
Which has lower taxes, Fayetteville or Naperville?: Fayetteville is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% 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).