F
34%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
110%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Naperville Illinois National
Cost of living13496100
Goods & Services10697100
Groceries9798100
Health care9895100
Housing21095100
Transportation114103100
Utilities8089100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Naperville, IL

The cost of living in Naperville affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Naperville is 134, which is 34% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Naperville is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, Naperville falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.

Housing costs are a very significant part of the Naperville cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 109.9% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Naperville?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 16 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Naperville. The feedback revealed that 38% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 63% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Naperville Affordable?

Is Naperville an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Naperville, the median home price is 130% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 62.9% higher than the usual rates. Income levels in Naperville come in at $127,648, which is 130.7% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Naperville?

Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Naperville, the utilities index is 20.1% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Naperville, the general sales tax rate starts at 6.25%, and income tax rates begin at 4.95%.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Naperville displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Naperville is 39% higher than the Illinois average
  • The cost of living in Naperville is 34% higher than the national average
  • Naperville housing is 110% higher than the national average
  • Illinois general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Illinois state income tax is 91% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Naperville

See all the best places to live around Naperville

Compare Naperville, IL Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$151,923$12,660$3,545$4,558
      Renters$73,482$6,124$1,714$2,205
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Naperville, IL, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Naperville have a median income of $151,923. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $3,545 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $73,482, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $1,714.

      Illinois Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Illinois 6.25% 10.25%

      Illinois Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Illinois 4.95% 4.95%

      Goods & Services

      Item Naperville National avg. Difference
      Haircut $19.72$24.2618.7%
      Beauty Salon $37.22$45.5618.3%
      Toothpaste $3.72$3.700.6%
      Shampoo $1.32$1.283.3%
      Movie $9.99$12.1317.7%
      Bowling $16.00$18.0011.1%

      Groceries

      Item Naperville National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.94$5.841.8%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.8%
      Milk $4.55$4.672.5%
      Potatoes $5.08$4.933.0%
      Pizza $10.69$12.0911.6%
      Beer $9.61$10.417.7%

      Health Care

      Item Naperville National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $86.67$125.6831.0%
      Doctor $110.00$135.7819.0%
      Dentist $82.00$113.2927.6%
      Ibuprofen $10.17$10.654.5%
      Lipitor $511.00$468.609.0%

      Housing

      Item Naperville National avg. Difference
      Home Price $424,800.00$184,700.00130.0%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,316.57$2,346.6943.9%
      Apartment Rent $1,546.00$949.0062.9%

      Transportation

      Item Naperville National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.52$3.461.7%
      Tire Balancing $45.00$59.9224.9%

      Utilities

      Item Naperville National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $156.87$193.9919.1%
      Phone $198.03$192.253.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Fairmont, IL2,690954.6%
      Bellwood, IL18,7991011.0%
      Stone Park, IL4,8421022.2%
      Berkeley, IL5,0791022.4%
      Northlake, IL12,2351033.5%
      Naperville, IL147,73413434.0%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Guelph, ON147,931n/a 
      Rockford, IL147,4418416.2%
      Joliet, IL147,3231033.2%
      Killeen, TX148,5739010.3%
      Bellevue, WA146,145204104.0%
      Naperville, IL147,73413434.0%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.