Is Naperville, Illinois Expensive to Live In Compared to Other Chicago Suburbs?
Is Naperville, Illinois Expensive to Live In?
Naperville is frequently ranked as one of the best places to live in Illinois, which often leads buyers and relocating families to ask whether the cost of living is higher than other western suburbs.
Overall, Naperville is more expensive than many surrounding communities and the Illinois average. The primary reason is housing, followed by property taxes and long term demand driven pricing.
Housing Costs in Naperville
Housing is the single biggest contributor to Naperville’s higher cost of living.
Recent market data shows that median home values in Naperville are typically in the mid to high $500,000 range, with listing prices varying by neighborhood, home size, and condition. This places Naperville well above both state and national home price averages.
Rental costs are also higher than many nearby suburbs, with median monthly rents commonly around the mid $1,800 range. This reflects strong demand from both renters and buyers who want access to Naperville’s schools, amenities, and location.
By comparison, national median home values are significantly lower, which highlights how much housing drives Naperville’s overall cost of living.
Cost of Living Compared to Other Areas
Cost of living indexes consistently place Naperville above average.
Overall cost of living estimates often show Naperville at roughly 30 percent higher than the national average. Housing is the largest contributor to that difference, while everyday expenses such as groceries, utilities, and transportation tend to be closer to other western suburbs.
Property taxes also play a role in total housing costs, particularly for single family homeowners.
Income Levels and Affordability
Higher local incomes help offset some of Naperville’s higher housing costs.
Median household income in Naperville is significantly higher than the Illinois average, reflecting a strong employment base and concentration of professional households. While this income level supports home values, it also means that many households still allocate a substantial portion of earnings toward housing.
Cost of living calculators suggest that households often need well into six figure incomes to live comfortably in Naperville, depending on housing type, lifestyle, and debt obligations.
Market Demand and Long Term Value
Naperville’s housing market continues to show long term strength. Home values remain elevated compared to state and national averages, and demand has stayed consistent due to school quality, location, and community investment.
This sustained demand is a key reason Naperville tends to hold value well across market cycles, even when broader housing conditions shift.
Understanding whether Naperville is expensive depends on how housing costs, income levels, and long term value align with your goals. Reviewing real data alongside local insight provides a clearer picture than averages alone.
Contact Team Elite Realtors
Team Elite Realtors
Julia Corkey and Vickie Schoenfeld
Baird and Warner
Serving Naperville and the western suburbs of Chicago
Phone: 630 286 9777
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.homesbyteamelite.com
Sources
Team Elite Realtors
www.Homesbyteamelite.com
Zillow Home Value Index, Naperville Illinois
https://www.zillow.com/home-values/39931/naperville-il/
Realtor.com Market Overview, Naperville Illinois
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Naperville_IL/overview
HomeSnacks Cost of Living Data, Naperville Illinois
https://www.homesnacks.com/il/naperville/
Data USA Demographics, Naperville Illinois
https://datausa.io/profile/geo/naperville-il
Point2Homes Demographics, Naperville Illinois
https://www.point2homes.com/US/Neighborhood/IL/Naperville-Demographics.html
BestPlaces Cost of Living Calculator, Naperville Illinois
https://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/city/illinois/naperville
Redfin Housing Market Data, Naperville Illinois
https://www.redfin.com/city/29501/IL/Naperville/housing-market
