Arlington vs Naperville

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $51,220 in Naperville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Naperville equals $109,821 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Naperville

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Naperville's 130, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $430,000. The $310,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,148 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,800/mo in Naperville, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 104 in Naperville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington 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 Arlington and 99 in Naperville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington vs $396 in Naperville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 117 in Arlington and 101 in Naperville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $118,254 in Naperville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 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 $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $2,759/month in Naperville. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/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 119 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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