City Comparison

Montgomery vs Naperville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Montgomery

Alabama
79
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$56,800
Median Income

Naperville

Illinois
112
Above Average
$430,000
Median Home
$1,800/mo
Median Rent
$118,254
Median Income

The Verdict

29.5%

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

Housing
49
Montgomery
130
Naperville
Groceries
99
Montgomery
104
Naperville
Utilities
115
Montgomery
99
Naperville
Transportation
92
Montgomery
116
Naperville
Healthcare
78
Montgomery
101
Naperville

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

Montgomery is 29.5% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Montgomery has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $106,329 in Naperville, based on the cost of living difference.
Montgomery's housing index is 49 with median homes at $162,000, while Naperville's is 130 with median homes at $430,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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