Naperville is the 3rd-largest city in Illinois that we track, with 150,692 residents. Rent is higher than in 76% of U.S. cities. Household incomes are higher than in 93% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.2 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 30.5 minutes each way. It is a highly educated city: 72.5% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $86,840 a year. That is $42 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Illinois cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Illinois. It is number 293 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Naperville?
Share of households by yearly income. 59.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Naperville
| Size | Naperville | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,918 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,817 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,140 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,683 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,522 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Naperville overall?
Everyday prices in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area are 4% above the U.S. average (index 103.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Naperville
Life in Naperville
What jobs pay in Naperville
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $165,660 | 15.7% |
| Pharmacist | $140,880 | 18.5% |
| Software Developer | $134,380 | 19.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,740 | 19.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $127,940 | 20.4% |
| Operations Manager | $109,390 | 23.8% |
| Police Officer | $107,810 | 24.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,490 | 25.2% |
| Plumber | $103,380 | 25.2% |
| Electrician | $102,350 | 25.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $100,490 | 25.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,260 | 26.0% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,160 | 26.0% |
| Firefighter | $82,820 | 31.5% |
| Accountant | $82,360 | 31.6% |
| Carpenter | $80,440 | 32.4% |
| Market Research Analyst | $80,400 | 32.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $78,390 | 33.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $78,070 | 33.4% |
| HVAC Technician | $77,960 | 33.4% |
| Truck Driver | $62,300 | 41.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,270 | 55.1% |
| Customer Service Representative | $47,100 | 55.3% |
| Nursing Assistant | $46,940 | 55.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $40,550 | 64.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,930 | 66.9% |
| Retail Salesperson | $35,820 | 72.7% |
| Cashier | $35,010 | 74.4% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $31,200 | 83.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Naperville?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,577 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $540,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $54,020 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Naperville, IL?
Renting in Naperville costs a median of about $2,171 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in Naperville?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $86,840 a year, or $42 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Naperville cheap or expensive?
Naperville is rated Cheap: rent takes 15.6% of the typical household income of $167,281. It ranks 293rd cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Naperville?
The median homeowner in Naperville pays $10,000+ a year in property taxes, about 1.85% of the median home value.
Is Naperville more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Naperville?
The median home value in Naperville is $540,200, about 3.2 times the typical yearly household income.
150,692 people live in Naperville. Numbers are typical (middle) values.