Naperville vs Rochester
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Naperville
Rochester
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 19.1%, with Rochester being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Naperville has equivalent purchasing power to $62,946 in Rochester.
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 $62,946 in Rochester.
Conversely, $75,000 in Rochester equals $89,362 in Naperville.
Living in Naperville vs Rochester
Housing Costs
Naperville's housing index of 130 is higher Rochester's 95, translating to median home prices of $430,000 vs $345,000. The $85,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Naperville compared to $1,275/mo in Rochester, a monthly difference of $525.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Naperville and 103 in Rochester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Naperville vs $489/month in Rochester. 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 99 in Naperville and 102 in Rochester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Naperville vs $408 in Rochester. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 101 in Naperville and 104 in Rochester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $118,254 in Naperville and $91,500 in Rochester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $105,584 and $97,340 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 $2,135/month in Rochester. In Naperville, median rent of $1,800/mo fits within this budget. In Rochester, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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