Aurora vs Naperville

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Aurora has the same purchasing power as $67,742 in Naperville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Naperville equals $83,036 in Aurora.

Living in Aurora vs Naperville

Housing Costs

Aurora's housing index of 174 is higher Naperville's 130, translating to median home prices of $410,000 vs $430,000. The $20,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Aurora compared to $1,800/mo in Naperville, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Aurora and 104 in Naperville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Aurora 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 87 in Aurora and 99 in Naperville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Aurora vs $396 in Naperville. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 119 in Aurora 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 $84,300 in Aurora and $118,254 in Naperville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $67,984 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 $1,967/month to housing in Aurora vs $2,759/month in Naperville. In Aurora, median rent of $1,750/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 44 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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