Median rent is 2% lower in Naperville ($1,885/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Naperville, where the median home runs $540,200 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Naperville ($155,105 vs $81,939 a year). Taken together, Naperville is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 114.7 — about 11% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Naperville, IL.
Cost of living verdict
Naperville is 11% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 102.5 in Naperville vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
Naperville, IL
How much would you need to earn in Naperville, IL to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, CA?
Equivalent salary in Naperville, IL
$66,985
You could earn $8,015 less (11% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Los Angeles
California
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,933/mo in Los Angeles and $1,885/mo in Naperville. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $540,200 in Naperville — 41% more expensive.
Metric
Los Angeles
Naperville
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Naperville
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Naperville has cleaner air on average: 27.0 AQI (Good) compared to 31.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Naperville if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 102.5 vs 114.7).
Pick Naperville if you prioritize higher median household income ($155,105/yr).
Naperville is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.5 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 11% lower in Naperville.
Median rent is $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $1,885/mo in Naperville, IL. Naperville, IL has the lower rent by about 2%.
Median household income is $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA 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.
Naperville, IL has better air quality on average: 27.0 AQI versus 31.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA is equivalent to roughly $89,313 in Naperville, IL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
