Montgomery vs Naperville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Montgomery
Naperville
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 29.5%, with Montgomery being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Montgomery has equivalent purchasing power to $106,329 in Naperville.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Montgomery has the same purchasing power as $106,329 in Naperville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Naperville equals $52,902 in Montgomery.
Living in Montgomery vs Naperville
Housing Costs
Montgomery's housing index of 49 is lower Naperville's 130, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $430,000. The $268,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,424 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Montgomery compared to $1,800/mo in Naperville, a monthly difference of $800.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Montgomery and 104 in Naperville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Montgomery 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 115 in Montgomery and 99 in Naperville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Montgomery 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 78 in Montgomery and 101 in Naperville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $56,800 in Montgomery and $118,254 in Naperville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,899 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 $1,325/month to housing in Montgomery vs $2,759/month in Naperville. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/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 81 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases