Living Cost Compare
Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,150/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 $1,150 in Indianapolis, IN versus $1,830 in Naperville, IL. Overall, Indianapolis, IN is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Naperville, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN and $150,937 in Naperville, IL — about 58% higher in Naperville, IL. Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Indianapolis, IN
Naperville, IL

Rent

Studio
$933
$1,713
+84% in Naperville, IL
1 Bedroom
$963
$1,594
+66% in Naperville, IL
2 Bedroom
$1,132
$1,889
+67% in Naperville, IL
3 Bedroom
$1,304
$2,446
+88% in Naperville, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$207,000
$509,900
+146% in Naperville, IL

Income

Median Household Income
$62,995
$150,937
+140% in Naperville, IL
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,340
$54,720
+11% in Naperville, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.1 yr
40.1 yr
+6.0 yr in Naperville, IL
Homeownership
55.3%
74.3%
+19.0 pp in Naperville, IL
Bachelor's+ (25+)
34.2%
71.7%
+37.5 pp in Naperville, IL
Avg Commute
24.3 min
31.4 min
+7.1 min in Naperville, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
936.6
85.7
+91% in Indianapolis, IN
Property Crime
3,351.7
892.2
+73% in Indianapolis, IN

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
53.2°F
49.9°F
+3.3°F in Indianapolis, IN
Annual Precipitation
42.4 in
36.9 in
+5.5 in in Indianapolis, IN

Gas

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

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.75
—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
18.1
23.9
+31% in Naperville, IL
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$13.70
$15.39
+12% in Naperville, IL

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 (IN / IL)
7%
6.25%
+0.8 pp in IN
Income Tax (top rate)
2.95%
4.95%
+2.0 pp in IL

Indianapolis vs Naperville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Indianapolis or Naperville?
Indianapolis, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,150 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Indianapolis than in Naperville?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Indianapolis versus $64,000 in Naperville.
Which has lower taxes, Indianapolis or Naperville?
Indianapolis is taxed under Indiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% 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).