City Comparison
Naperville vs Skokie
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Naperville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Naperville
Skokie
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Skokie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Naperville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Naperville's average rent is
11% higher than Skokie's.
| Metric | Naperville | Skokie | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,750 | +11% |
| Groceries | $460 | $420 | +10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,945 | $2,685 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 118 | 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 Skokie.
| Metric | Naperville | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $85,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,672 idx | 66,102 idx |
| Household Income | $145,000 | $85,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.099999999999994°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Skokie sees 1.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Naperville | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | 51.20°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 82.30°F |
| Winter Low | 17.00°F | 18.10°F |
| Rainfall | 34.30 in | 33.50 in |
| Snowfall | 26.20 in | 28.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 249 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Skokie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Skokie leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Naperville | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 65.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Naperville is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Skokie.
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 | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,540 | 67,824 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 41.5 |
| 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
Skokie
Advantages
Direct access to Chicago via the CTA Yellow Line rapid transit system
Home to the Illinois Science + Technology Park, driving local biotech jobs
Award-winning Skokie Park District managing numerous parks and facilities
Exceptional ethnic diversity reflected in local dining, culture, and community events
Proximity to major medical centers including Endeavor Health Skokie Hospital
Drawbacks
Higher-than-average property taxes typical of suburban Cook County
Competitive real estate market with rising purchase prices
Heavy commuter traffic along major arterial roads during peak hours
Cold and snowy winter climate requiring regular snow removal
Cost of living index noticeably above the national average
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
Skokie
#386Illinois, USA
59.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
51.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
82
Business
75
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