City Comparison
Naperville vs Springfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Naperville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Naperville
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Naperville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Naperville's average rent is
63% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | Naperville | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,200 | +63% |
| Groceries | $460 | $400 | +15% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,945 | $2,110 | +40% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Naperville offers 23% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Springfield delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Naperville is estimated at
$70,000 vs $52,000 in Springfield.
| Metric | Naperville | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $85,000 | $69,000 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,672 idx | 74,194 idx |
| Household Income | $145,000 | $66,064 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4°F of each other.
For sunshine, Springfield comes out ahead with 15 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Naperville sees 5.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Naperville | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.30°F | 55.30°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 84.80°F |
| Winter Low | 17.00°F | 20.60°F |
| Rainfall | 34.30 in | 30.10 in |
| Snowfall | 26.20 in | 20.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 250 | 265 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 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 | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 54.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Naperville is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Springfield.
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 | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,540 | 112,989 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 41.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.10% |
| 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
Springfield
Advantages
Median home values in Springfield are roughly 51% below the national average per U.S. Census Bureau data.
The cost of living sits approximately 7.3% below the national average according to BEA regional price parities.
Springfield offers an average commute time of roughly 20 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average.
The city boasts top-tier regional healthcare facilities, serving as a major medical hub for central Illinois.
Rich historical heritage centered around Abraham Lincoln provides unique cultural tourism and educational assets.
Drawbacks
The city has experienced slight population contractions over recent census estimates due to regional migration patterns.
Certain urban core neighborhoods experience elevated property crime rates relative to suburban boundaries.
Public transit options outside of core bus routes are limited, maintaining a high reliance on personal vehicles.
State-level budget shifts and local tax structures can create periodic fiscal pressures for municipal services.
Winters can bring harsh freezing temperatures and snowfall, requiring active property and roadway maintenance.
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
Springfield
#390Illinois, USA
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$69,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
55.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
75
Business
67
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