Is it cheaper to live in Naperville or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Naperville versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Naperville or Spokane?

Naperville is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Naperville vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Naperville

Illinois

$1,830/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 42% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Naperville, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $150,937 in Naperville, IL and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 56% higher in Naperville, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Naperville, IL

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,713

$884

+48% in Naperville, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,594

$903

+43% in Naperville, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,889

$1,192

+37% in Naperville, IL

3 Bedroom

$2,446

$1,442

+41% in Naperville, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$509,900

$326,200

+36% in Naperville, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$150,937

$65,745

+56% in Naperville, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$54,660

+0% in Naperville, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.1 yr

37.2 yr

+2.9 yr in Naperville, IL

Homeownership

74.3%

58.3%

+16.0 pp in Naperville, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

71.7%

32.6%

+39.1 pp in Naperville, IL

Avg Commute

31.4 min

21.2 min

+10.2 min in Naperville, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

85.7

683.6

+698% in Spokane, WA

Property Crime

892.2

4,931.8

+453% in Spokane, WA

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

48.9°F

+1.0°F in Naperville, IL

Annual Precipitation

36.9 in

17.8 in

+19.1 in in Naperville, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.12/gal

+30% in Spokane, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

14.9

+37% in Naperville, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$20.41

+33% in Spokane, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Spokane, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Spokane, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Naperville, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Spokane, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Naperville, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Spokane, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / WA)

6.25%

6.5%

+0.3 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

None

+5.0 pp in IL

Naperville vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Naperville or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Naperville, IL's $1,830, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Naperville than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Naperville versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Naperville or Spokane?: Naperville is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).