Median rent is 20% lower in Fort Worth ($1,509/mo vs $1,885/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fort Worth, where the median home runs $303,000 versus $540,200. Households earn more in Naperville ($155,105 vs $79,507 a year). Taken together, Naperville is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 102.5 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Naperville, IL.
City A
Fort Worth, TX
City B
Naperville, IL
How much would you need to earn in Naperville, IL to maintain your standard of living from Fort Worth, TX?
Equivalent salary in Naperville, IL
$74,997
You could earn $3 less (0% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Fort Worth
Texas
Naperville
Illinois
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Fort Worth at $1,509/mo compared to $1,885/mo in Naperville (20% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Naperville: the median home is $540,200 versus $303,000 in Fort Worth — 44% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Fort Worth
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Naperville
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Naperville (avg AQI 27.0) but not yet for Fort Worth.
Pick Naperville if you prioritize higher median household income ($155,105/yr).
Pick Fort Worth if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,509/mo median).
Is Fort Worth cheaper than Naperville?
Naperville is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.5 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Naperville.
How much is rent in Fort Worth vs Naperville?
Median rent is $1,509/mo in Fort Worth, TX and $1,885/mo in Naperville, IL. Fort Worth, TX has the lower rent by about 20%.
Which has higher salaries — Fort Worth or Naperville?
Median household income is $79,507 in Fort Worth, TX and $155,105 in Naperville, IL. Naperville, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Fort Worth or Naperville?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Naperville to match my Fort Worth income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fort Worth, TX is equivalent to roughly $99,996 in Naperville, IL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
