Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Naperville, IL and Seattle, WA

For one person, living is cheaper in Naperville, IL: $2,821 a month against $3,782 in Seattle, WA, rent and utilities included – about $11,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Naperville, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$2,821
/mo nomad
Seattle, WA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,782
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Naperville, IL and in Seattle, WA

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Naperville, IL and in Seattle, WA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,821 per month in Naperville, IL vs $3,782 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

  • Naperville, IL $2,821
  • Seattle, WA $3,782

A couple spends around $3,974 per month in Naperville, IL vs $5,636 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

  • Naperville, IL $3,974
  • Seattle, WA $5,636

A family of three spends $5,127 per month in Naperville, IL vs $7,489 in Seattle, WA, rent included.

  • Naperville, IL $5,127
  • Seattle, WA $7,489

Naperville, IL is about 25% cheaper than Seattle, WA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Naperville, IL and Seattle, WA sit above the global median – Naperville, IL by 108%, Seattle, WA by 179%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Naperville, IL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.01 $14.01
$24.52 $24.52
-42.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.9 $74.9
$98.2 $98.2
-23.78%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.98 $11.98
$14.79 $14.79
-19.00%
Cappuccino
$5.27 $5.27
$6.52 $6.52
-19.17%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88 $2.88
$3.23 $3.23
-10.84%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29 $2.29
$3.17 $3.17
-27.76%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.13 $6.13
$7.85 $7.85
-21.91%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.45 $8.45
$8.03 $8.03
5.23%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Naperville, IL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.78 $0.78
$1.21 $1.21
-35.54%
White Bread (500g)
$2.85 $2.85
$5.14 $5.14
-44.55%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.95 $2.95
$6.05 $6.05
-51.24%
Eggs
$3.52 $3.52
$4.88 $4.88
-27.87%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.74 $7.74
$19.18 $19.18
-59.65%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.46 $11.46
$18.91 $18.91
-39.40%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.49 $10.49
$23.31 $23.31
-55.00%
Apples (1kg)
$5.49 $5.49
$5.99 $5.99
-8.35%
Banana (1kg)
$1.66 $1.66
$1.93 $1.93
-13.99%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.47 $3.47
$5.25 $5.25
-33.90%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.37 $5.37
$6.57 $6.57
-18.26%
Potato (1kg)
$1.70 $1.70
$3.62 $3.62
-53.04%
Onion (1kg)
$3.35 $3.35
$3.31 $3.31
1.21%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.69 $1.69
$2.78 $2.78
-39.21%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.51 $2.51
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.21 $12.21
$12.18 $12.18
0.25%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.21 $8.21
$14.83 $14.83
-44.64%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 $1.76
$4.22 $4.22
-58.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.99 $3.99
$5.77 $5.77
-30.85%
🚌 Getting Around
Naperville, IL
Seattle, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$2.95 $2.95
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$130 $130
$106 $106
22.27%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.61 $5.61
$2.65 $2.65
111.70%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.91 $2.91
$1.72 $1.72
69.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$17.46 $17.46
$29.72 $29.72
-41.25%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$1.49 $1.49
-27.52%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.4K $24.4K
$35.9K $35.9K
-31.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8K $25.8K
$26.2K $26.2K
-1.76%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Naperville, IL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$173 $173
$302 $302
-42.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$52.4 $52.4
$70.1 $70.1
-25.26%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.6 $51.6
$85.3 $85.3
-39.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Naperville, IL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$70.7 $70.7
$77.8 $77.8
-9.19%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.09 $15.09
$34.58 $34.58
-56.36%
Cinema Ticket
$11.99 $11.99
$17.84 $17.84
-32.79%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Naperville, IL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,477 $1,477
$2,973 $2,973
-50.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.7K $12.7K
$31.3K $31.3K
-59.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Naperville, IL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.5 $57.5
$76.6 $76.6
-24.84%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.78 $24.78
$54.1 $54.1
-54.15%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.4 $87.4
$128 $128
-31.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$50.6 $50.6
$164 $164
-69.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Naperville, IL
Seattle, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,037 $2,037
$2,445 $2,445
-16.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,616 $1,616
$1,947 $1,947
-16.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,308 $3,308
$4,744 $4,744
-30.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,429 $2,429
$3,469 $3,469
-29.96%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,253 $2,253
$7,367 $7,367
-69.42%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,241 $2,241
$5,127 $5,127
-56.28%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Naperville, IL
Seattle, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,526 $6,526
$6,506 $6,506
0.30%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.43
6.89
-6.68%

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

Last update for Naperville, IL: October 19, 2026

Last update for Seattle, WA: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Naperville, IL
$1.6K
Seattle, WA
$1.9K 20.4% $330
Groceries & Markets
Naperville, IL
$304 *
Seattle, WA
$546 79.4% $242
Eating Out
Naperville, IL
$280
Seattle, WA
$400 43% $120
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Naperville, IL
$277
Seattle, WA
$457 65% $180
Getting Around
Naperville, IL
$150 *
Seattle, WA
$129 13.8% $21
Clothing & Footwear
Naperville, IL
$99
Seattle, WA
$190 92% $91
Sport & Entertainment
Naperville, IL
$95
Seattle, WA
$114 19.9% $19

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,037 in Naperville, IL versus $2,445 in Seattle, WA. 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 0% higher in Naperville, IL, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $75.0 in Naperville, IL versus $98.0 in Seattle, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $304 vs $546 – making Naperville, IL the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Naperville, IL
🇺🇸 Seattle, WA
🕒 Local time
22:16 10:16 PM
20:16 8:16 PM
2 h behind Naperville, IL
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
149,540
737,015
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Naperville, IL Seattle, WA 2,750 km ≈ 4 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Naperville, IL
  • Seattle, WA

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Naperville, IL vs Seattle, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Naperville, IL or Seattle, WA?
Seattle, WA costs about 34% more than Naperville, IL, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Naperville, IL and in Seattle, WA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,231 per month in Naperville, IL and $5,673 in Seattle, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Naperville, IL or Seattle, WA?
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.
How expensive is transport in Naperville, IL compared to Seattle, WA?
Public transport costs about 22% less in Naperville, IL. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Naperville, IL and in Seattle, WA?
Kindergarten costs $1,477 per month in Naperville, IL and $2,973 in Seattle, WA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Naperville, IL or in Seattle, WA?
$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,821 in Naperville, IL and $3,782 in Seattle, WA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Naperville, IL or Seattle, WA?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Naperville, IL costs $2,821 versus $3,782 in Seattle, WA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Naperville, IL compared to Seattle, WA?
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.
Should I move to Naperville, IL or to Seattle, WA?
If budget matters most, go with Naperville, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Seattle, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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