Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Naperville, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Naperville, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,997 in Naperville, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,593 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,035 in Naperville, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,177 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,073 in Naperville, IL, rent included.

Chicago, IL and Naperville, IL have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

Both Chicago, IL and Naperville, IL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 125%, Naperville, IL by 124%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.35 $20.35

$14.81 $14.81

37.41%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$60.1 $60.1

69.29%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.98 $11.98

$9.97 $9.97

20.16%

Cappuccino

$5.70 $5.70

$4.28 $4.28

33.18%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.00 $3.00

$2.35 $2.35

27.66%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.32 $2.32

6.03%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$4.23 $4.23

62.41%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.09 $8.09

$5.85 $5.85

38.29%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.77 $0.77

33.77%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$4.52 $4.52

-12.61%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$3.25 $3.25

66.77%

Eggs

$4.50 $4.50

$4.78 $4.78

-5.86%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$7.59 $7.59

91.44%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$11.14 $11.14

33.66%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.98 $18.98

$11.56 $11.56

64.19%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$5.84 $5.84

-7.71%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.64 $1.64

7.93%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.35 $4.35

$2.96 $2.96

46.96%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.53 $4.53

$3.46 $3.46

30.92%

Potato (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.24 $1.24

104.03%

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$2.36 $2.36

19.07%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.51 $2.51

$1.68 $1.68

49.40%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$1.46 $1.46

82.88%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.88 $14.88

$8.28 $8.28

79.71%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.22 $15.22

$8.37 $8.37

81.84%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.69 $1.69

45.56%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.53 $3.53

$3.78 $3.78

-6.61%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.56 $2.56

$6.05 $6.05

-57.69%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.3 $74.3

$129 $129

-42.34%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.19 $3.19

$5.14 $5.14

-37.94%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.41 $1.41

$1.70 $1.70

-17.06%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.49 $25.49

$50.7 $50.7

-49.75%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.90 $0.90

15.56%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$32.2K $32.2K

$24.3K $24.3K

32.57%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.8K $26.8K

$25.6K $25.6K

4.46%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$184 $184

$172 $172

6.64%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$63.1 $63.1

$51.8 $51.8

21.95%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.4 $66.4

$50.7 $50.7

31.09%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.9 $75.9

$100 $100

-24.40%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.06 $13.06

Cinema Ticket

$15.25 $15.25

$11.16 $11.16

36.65%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,090 $2,090

$938 $938

122.77%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.2K $39.2K

$23.3K $23.3K

68.19%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$44.38 $44.38

44.66%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.0 $51.0

$46.60 $46.60

9.44%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.2 $97.2

$66.3 $66.3

46.56%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$149 $149

$98.9 $98.9

50.19%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,341 $2,341

$1,986 $1,986

17.89%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,572 $1,572

$1,652 $1,652

-4.82%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,741 $4,741

$3,331 $3,331

42.31%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,819 $2,819

$2,387 $2,387

18.12%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,900 $3,900

$2,271 $2,271

71.72%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,638 $2,638

$2,262 $2,262

16.61%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,769 $4,769

$6,590 $6,590

-27.64%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.52

1.23%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 25, 2026

Last update for Naperville, IL: April 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,341 in Chicago, IL versus $1,986 in Naperville, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 38% higher in Naperville, IL. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $102 in Chicago, IL versus $60.0 in Naperville, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $332 – making Naperville, IL the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Chicago, IL vs Naperville, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,495 in Naperville, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Naperville, IL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $102 in Chicago, IL and $60.0 in Naperville, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Public transport costs about 73% less in Naperville, IL. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,009 in Chicago, IL and $2,997 in Naperville, IL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,997 in Naperville, IL to $3,009 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Naperville, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.