Is it cheaper to live in Naperville or Providence?

Providence, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,310 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Naperville versus $41,000 in Providence.

Which has lower taxes, Naperville or Providence?

Naperville is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Naperville vs Providence Cost of Living 2026

Naperville

Illinois

$1,830/mo est.

Providence

Rhode Island

$1,310/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,830 in Naperville, IL versus $1,310 in Providence, RI. Overall, Providence, RI is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Naperville, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $150,937 in Naperville, IL and $66,772 in Providence, RI — about 56% higher in Naperville, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Naperville, IL

Providence, RI

Rent

Studio

$1,713

$1,116

+35% in Naperville, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,594

$1,030

+35% in Naperville, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,889

$1,323

+30% in Naperville, IL

3 Bedroom

$2,446

$1,627

+33% in Naperville, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$509,900

$322,800

+37% in Naperville, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$150,937

$66,772

+56% in Naperville, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$53,680

+2% in Naperville, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.1 yr

32.9 yr

+7.2 yr in Naperville, IL

Homeownership

74.3%

41.2%

+33.1 pp in Naperville, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

71.7%

34.7%

+37.0 pp in Naperville, IL

Avg Commute

31.4 min

25.0 min

+6.4 min in Naperville, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

85.7

282.4

+230% in Providence, RI

Property Crime

892.2

1,665.6

+87% in Providence, RI

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

49.9°F

51.6°F

+1.7°F in Providence, RI

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

47.2 in

+10.3 in in Providence, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.86/gal

+2% in Naperville, IL

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

29.5

+24% in Providence, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$16.06

+4% in Providence, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Providence, RI

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Naperville, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Providence, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Providence, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Providence, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / RI)

6.25%

+0.8 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

5.99%

+1.0 pp in RI

Naperville vs Providence — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Naperville or Providence?: Providence, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,310 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Naperville than in Providence?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Naperville versus $41,000 in Providence.
Which has lower taxes, Naperville or Providence?: Naperville is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).