City Comparison

Naperville vs Sydney

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Naperville

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

Sydney

Australia
105
Average
$825,000
Median Home
$2,050/mo
Median Rent
$60,000
Median Income

The Verdict

6.7%

Living in Sydney costs 6.7% less than Naperville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Naperville, you would need $70,313 in Sydney.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
130
Naperville
142
Sydney
Groceries
104
Naperville
95
Sydney
Utilities
99
Naperville
98
Sydney
Transportation
116
Naperville
108
Sydney
Healthcare
101
Naperville
72
Sydney

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Naperville has the same purchasing power as $70,313 in Sydney.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sydney equals $80,000 in Naperville.

Living in Naperville vs Sydney

Housing Costs

Naperville's housing index of 130 is lower Sydney's 142, translating to median home prices of $430,000 vs $825,000. The $395,000 difference in home prices means roughly $25,680 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Naperville compared to $2,050/mo in Sydney, a monthly difference of $250.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Naperville and 95 in Sydney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Naperville vs $451/month in Sydney. Sydney offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

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

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 101 in Naperville and 72 in Sydney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 29-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 $60,000 in Sydney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $105,584 and $57,143 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 $1,400/month in Sydney. In Naperville, median rent of $1,800/mo fits within this budget. In Sydney, median rent of $2,050/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sydney is 6.7% more affordable overall with an index of 105 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Naperville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $70,313 in Sydney, based on the cost of living difference.
Naperville's housing index is 130 with median homes at $430,000, while Sydney's is 142 with median homes at $825,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases