Allentown vs Naperville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Allentown
Naperville
The Verdict
Living in Allentown costs 12.5% less than Naperville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Allentown, you would need $85,714 in Naperville.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Allentown has the same purchasing power as $85,714 in Naperville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Naperville equals $65,625 in Allentown.
Living in Allentown vs Naperville
Housing Costs
Allentown's housing index of 109 is lower Naperville's 130, translating to median home prices of $232,000 vs $430,000. The $198,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,876 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,225/mo in Allentown compared to $1,800/mo in Naperville, a monthly difference of $575.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Allentown and 104 in Naperville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Allentown vs $494/month in Naperville. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Allentown and 99 in Naperville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Allentown vs $396 in Naperville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 83 in Allentown and 101 in Naperville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $55,500 in Allentown and $118,254 in Naperville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,633 and $105,584 respectively. Naperville residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,295/month to housing in Allentown vs $2,759/month in Naperville. In Allentown, median rent of $1,225/mo fits within this budget. In Naperville, median rent of $1,800/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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