City Comparison

Naperville vs Toronto

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Naperville

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

Toronto

Canada
93
Below Average
$615,000
Median Home
$1,825/mo
Median Rent
$55,000
Median Income

The Verdict

20.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 20.4%, with Toronto being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Naperville has equivalent purchasing power to $62,277 in Toronto.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
130
Naperville
132
Toronto
Groceries
104
Naperville
88
Toronto
Utilities
99
Naperville
85
Toronto
Transportation
116
Naperville
98
Toronto
Healthcare
101
Naperville
72
Toronto

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Naperville has the same purchasing power as $62,277 in Toronto.

Conversely, $75,000 in Toronto equals $90,323 in Naperville.

Living in Naperville vs Toronto

Housing Costs

Naperville's housing index of 130 is lower Toronto's 132, translating to median home prices of $430,000 vs $615,000. The $185,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,024 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Naperville compared to $1,825/mo in Toronto, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Naperville and 88 in Toronto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Naperville vs $418/month in Toronto. Toronto offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $912/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Naperville and 85 in Toronto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Naperville vs $340 in Toronto. 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 72 in Toronto. 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 $55,000 in Toronto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $105,584 and $59,140 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 $1,283/month in Toronto. In Naperville, median rent of $1,800/mo fits within this budget. In Toronto, median rent of $1,825/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

Toronto is 20.4% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Naperville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,277 in Toronto, based on the cost of living difference.
Naperville's housing index is 130 with median homes at $430,000, while Toronto's is 132 with median homes at $615,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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