Kent vs Naperville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Kent
Naperville
The Verdict
Living in Naperville costs 22.3% less than Kent. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kent, you would need $61,314 in Naperville.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Kent has the same purchasing power as $61,314 in Naperville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Naperville equals $91,741 in Kent.
Living in Kent vs Naperville
Housing Costs
Kent's housing index of 195 is higher Naperville's 130, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $430,000. The $165,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,728 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Kent compared to $1,800/mo in Naperville, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 109 in Kent and 104 in Naperville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Kent 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 92 in Kent and 99 in Naperville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Kent vs $396 in Naperville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 122 in Kent and 101 in Naperville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $98,300 in Kent and $118,254 in Naperville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,752 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 $2,294/month to housing in Kent vs $2,759/month in Naperville. In Kent, 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 65 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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