City Comparison
Naperville vs Schaumburg
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Naperville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Naperville
Schaumburg
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Schaumburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Naperville.
| Metric | Naperville | Schaumburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,850 | +5% |
| Groceries | $460 | $420 | +10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $130 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,945 | $2,815 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Naperville offers 9% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Naperville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Naperville is estimated at
$70,000 vs $62,000 in Schaumburg.
| Metric | Naperville | Schaumburg |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $85,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,672 idx | 69,643 idx |
| Household Income | $145,000 | $91,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.5°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Schaumburg sees 0.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Naperville | Schaumburg |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | 50.80°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 82.30°F |
| Winter Low | 17.00°F | 17.20°F |
| Rainfall | 34.30 in | 34.40 in |
| Snowfall | 26.20 in | 27.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 255 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Schaumburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 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 | Schaumburg |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Naperville is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Schaumburg.
From a growth perspective, Naperville 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 | Schaumburg |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,540 | 78,723 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 39.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.00% |
| 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
Schaumburg
Advantages
Home to Woodfield Mall, one of the largest shopping destinations in the United States, offering extensive retail and dining options.
Consistently low crime rates and proactive local policing make it one of the safest communities in the region.
Exceptional park district maintaining over 70 parks, community centers, and recreational facilities for residents.
Strong corporate employment base with major headquarters located directly within the municipal boundaries.
Convenient access to Interstate 90 provides efficient commuting routes to downtown Chicago and O'Hare International Airport.
Drawbacks
Cook County property taxes are among the highest in the nation, putting a heavy financial burden on homeowners.
High level of car dependency outside of core commercial zones, leading to heavy traffic congestion around major retail hubs.
Overall cost of living sits noticeably above the national average, driven primarily by housing and local tax structures.
Winters can be harsh and prolonged, bringing heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures that limit outdoor activities.
Lack of a rapid transit rail station directly within the village center requires reliance on buses or driving to reach Metra stations.
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
Schaumburg
#237Illinois, USA
62.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
82
Business
81
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