City Comparison
Naperville vs Peoria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Peoria scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Naperville
Peoria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Peoria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Naperville.
| Metric | Naperville | Peoria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,817 | +7% |
| Groceries | $460 | $400 | +15% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,945 | $2,737 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Naperville offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Peoria delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Naperville is estimated at
$70,000 vs $60,000 in Peoria.
| Metric | Naperville | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $85,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,672 idx | 69,903 idx |
| Household Income | $145,000 | $95,815 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Peoria runs warmer on average — a 25.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Peoria comes out ahead with 72 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Naperville sees 26.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Naperville | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | 76.40°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 105.20°F |
| Winter Low | 17.00°F | 49.40°F |
| Rainfall | 34.30 in | 14.20 in |
| Snowfall | 26.20 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 322 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 30.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Peoria has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Naperville.
Naperville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Naperville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Naperville | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Peoria is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Naperville.
From a growth perspective, Peoria is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Naperville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Naperville | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,540 | 200,881 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.84% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 41.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Naperville
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the top public school districts in Illinois per Niche 2024 data
Extremely low crime rates and high safety profile relative to national averages per FBI crime reports
Vibrant downtown area featuring the scenic Riverwalk, local dining, and boutique shopping
Direct commuter rail service to downtown Chicago via the Metra BNSF line
Strong local economy with high median household incomes well above the national baseline
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices compared to the national average
Elevated property taxes characteristic of the Chicago collar counties
High level of car dependency outside of the immediate downtown district
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours along major corridors like Route 59 and I-88
Cold and snowy winter climate requiring substantial seasonal maintenance
Peoria
Advantages
Named Best City for Business by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 2026.
Home to Amkor Technology's $7 billion advanced semiconductor campus creating thousands of high-wage jobs.
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Arizona with low violent and property crime rates.
Abundant outdoor recreation, including Lake Pleasant and over 26 miles of mountain and multi-use trails.
High median household income ($95,815) and a well-educated workforce with top-tier public schools.
Drawbacks
Intense summer heat with average daily highs exceeding 105°F.
High level of car dependency with limited public mass transit options outside of major roadways.
Housing and rental costs have risen significantly, running moderately higher than the national average.
Historically a commuter suburb where a large share of the workforce still travels outside city limits for work.
Water resource management and desert conservation present ongoing long-term regional challenges.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Naperville
#223Illinois, USA
63.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$85,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
250/yr
Avg Temp
51.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
90
Business
80
Peoria
#76Arizona, USA
69.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,817
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
322/yr
Avg Temp
76.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
80
Business
85
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