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Naperville, Illinois

USA · Comprehensive city data and intelligence

63
Overall Score

Naperville, Illinois is a prominent western suburb of Chicago, frequently recognized for its exceptional quality of life, highly rated public schools, and vibrant downtown area. Founded in the 19th century along the DuPage River by Joseph Naper, the city has evolved from a quiet agricultural settlement into a thriving economic and cultural hub. Today, residents are drawn to Naperville for its safe neighborhoods, family-friendly atmosphere, and proximity to major employment centers in the Chicago metropolitan area.

About Illinois

Illinois, known as the "Prairie State," offers a diverse character ranging from the bustling metropolis of Chicago to expansive farmlands. Its economy is among the largest and most diversified in the U.S., with major industries including advanced manufacturing, agriculture and food processing, life sciences, technology, and transportation and logistics. While the cost of living statewide is generally considered moderate, housing costs in Chicago can be higher than the national average. Illinois experiences all four seasons, with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters, and is susceptible to severe storms and tornadoes, particularly in spring. Residents enjoy a lifestyle that balances world-class cultural amenities and career opportunities with challenges such as high taxes and urban congestion.

149,540
Population
$85K
Avg Salary
122
Cost Index
63.2
Quality Score
How this 63/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them
Component Readings used Points Weight Contributes
Safety Safety score: 88 / 100 88.0 30% 26.4
Affordability Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 122.0 16.3 25% 4.1
Economy & jobs Median household income: $145,000 Income needed to live here: $70,000 Unemployment rate: 3.8% 88.8 20% 17.8
Growth Population growth rate: 0.5% Job growth rate: 1.8% 46.8 15% 7.0
Business climate assessment Business climate assessment: 80 / 100 80.0 10% 8.0
Overall score 63.2

Provenance. These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as Tier 1 (fast) (q=52, partial — below threshold), last refreshed 16 October 2026. They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.

Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.

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Quality Scores

Business
80
Livability
90
Affordability
82
Growth
76

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Naperville is notably higher than the national average, primarily driven by high housing costs, property taxes, and affluent lifestyle amenities. While everyday expenses like groceries and utilities align relatively closely with state and regional norms, the demand for premium real estate pushes overall expenses well above standard benchmarks. This financial requirement is balanced by strong local earning power and higher-than-average median household incomes.

Average Rent
$1,950/mo
Groceries
$460/mo
Transport
$130/mo
Utilities
$175/mo
Healthcare
$230/mo
Gym membership (monthly)
$55.00
Cinema ticket
$15.00
Restaurant meal (mid-range)
$25.00
Monthly groceries
$460.00
Doctor visit (without insurance)
$160.00

Salary Insights

Naperville boasts a robust and diversified economy anchored by education, healthcare, technology, and professional services. Major employers include Edward-Elmhurst Health, Naperville Community Unit School District 203, and several corporate headquarters and technology firms located along the Illinois Technology and Research Corridor. The city's entrepreneurial climate is strong, supporting a well-educated workforce with access to remote work infrastructure and corporate campuses.

The average salary in Naperville is $85,000 per year. You would need approximately $70,000 to live comfortably.

Top Industries

Retail Trade +0.80% Education +1.20% Healthcare +2.20% Finance and Insurance +1.50% Professional and Technical Services +2.00%

Climate

🌡️
51°F
Avg Temp
☀️
83°F
Summer High
❄️
17°F
Winter Low
🌧️
34.30"
Annual Rain
💧
68.00%
Humidity
🌤️
250
Sunny Days

Transport

Transportation in Naperville relies heavily on private vehicles, supported by major thoroughfares such as Interstate 88 and Route 59. For commuters heading into Chicago, the Metra BNSF Railway line provides direct, reliable train service from two local stations. While central areas and the downtown Riverwalk are highly walkable, most residential neighborhoods require a car for daily errands.

31 min
Avg Commute
52.00/10
Transit Score
58.00/10
Walkability
High
Car Dependency

Pros & Cons

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

Questions about Naperville

What people ask about living in and moving to Naperville, Illinois.

Gathering the most common questions about Naperville…

Frequently Asked Questions

Urblytica benchmarks its Cost of Living Index against a United States national average baseline of 100. A score of 115 means a city is approximately 15% more expensive than the national average, while a score of 85 indicates it is 15% more affordable. This composite calculation is weighted across six primary expenditure categories: housing, utilities, grocery items, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods.

Urblytica aggregates housing data from multiple authoritative sources, including Multiple Listing Service (MLS) feeds, municipal property tax registries, the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), and verified historical deed transactions. This multi-tier aggregation ensures precision in tracking median home values and rental rates.

A municipality must meet minimum data-density thresholds—including consistent reporting population samples from the U.S. Census and active residential or commercial real estate transaction feeds—to ensure statistical significance before a complete scoring profile is published.

When primary agencies (such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics or U.S. Census Bureau) issue historical data revisions or benchmark corrections, Urblytica's data pipeline automatically re-indexes affected historical archives to maintain longitudinal trend accuracy.

U.S. affordability calculations incorporate federal income tax brackets, state-specific income tax rates, and local municipal tax variations to evaluate the true net tax drag on median household earnings across different states and cities.

Local county and municipal property tax millage rates are factored directly into the housing component of the cost-of-living index to reflect recurring annual tax burdens for homeowners.

The platform aggregates state sales taxes alongside county and city surtaxes to measure consumer basket purchasing power parity accurately across different retail jurisdictions.

Utility calculations apply regional seasonal consumption weightings, incorporating high summer air conditioning loads in southern states and heavy winter heating demands in northern states.

The index tracks average out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, routine outpatient visit costs, and regional health insurance premium benchmarks published by federal health agencies.

Educational metrics aggregate state standardized testing benchmarks, student-to-teacher ratios, high school graduation rates, and per-pupil expenditure data published by state departments of education.
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