City Comparison

Naperville vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Naperville

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

Springfield

Illinois
78
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$65,500
Median Income

The Verdict

43.6%

Living in Springfield costs 43.6% less than Naperville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Naperville, you would need $52,232 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
130
Naperville
52
Springfield
Groceries
104
Naperville
98
Springfield
Utilities
99
Naperville
98
Springfield
Transportation
116
Naperville
114
Springfield
Healthcare
101
Naperville
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Naperville has the same purchasing power as $52,232 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $107,692 in Naperville.

Living in Naperville vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Naperville's housing index of 130 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $430,000 vs $162,000. 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: $1,800/mo in Naperville compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $875.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Naperville and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Naperville vs $466/month in Springfield. Springfield offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Naperville and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Naperville vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in Naperville and 91 in Springfield. 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 $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $105,584 and $83,974 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 $1,528/month in Springfield. In Naperville, median rent of $1,800/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 78 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 43.6% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Naperville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $52,232 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Naperville's housing index is 130 with median homes at $430,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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