Naperville vs Roanoke
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Naperville
Roanoke
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 38.3%, with Roanoke being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Naperville has equivalent purchasing power to $54,241 in Roanoke.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Naperville has the same purchasing power as $54,241 in Roanoke.
Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $103,704 in Naperville.
Living in Naperville vs Roanoke
Housing Costs
Naperville's housing index of 130 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $430,000 vs $225,000. The $205,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,320 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Naperville compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $725.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Naperville and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Naperville vs $461/month in Roanoke. Roanoke offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Naperville and 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Naperville vs $464 in Roanoke. 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 101 in Naperville and 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $118,254 in Naperville and $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $105,584 and $65,062 respectively. Naperville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,759/month to housing in Naperville vs $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Naperville, median rent of $1,800/mo fits within this budget. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 73 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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