Naperville, located in Illinois, is a vibrant city known for its family-friendly atmosphere and excellent amenities. Understanding the cost of living in Naperville is crucial for anyone considering moving to or residing in this city.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the various expenses you can expect, from dining and groceries to housing and transportation, helping you make informed financial decisions.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $15 on average, with a range between $12 and $28.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $87.5, with prices ranging from $50 to $140.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $12, with a range between $11 and $12.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $5 to $11, imported beer $7 to $13, cappuccino $3 to $6, and Coke/Pepsi $2 to $4.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.59 and $1.32 per liter, averaging $0.84.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1.1 and $6.61, with an average price of $2.75.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $2 to $8, averaging $4.67.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $2.18 to $7.72 per kg, while oranges range from $1.52 to $5.49 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.77 and $1.74 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.65 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs $6.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.82 and $1.06 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $4.53, with a cost of $2.64 to $3.11 per km and $15 to $20 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1900 to $2000, averaging $1950.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $1500 to $1900, averaging $1683.33.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $3300.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $2400.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from $2153 to $3229.17, averaging $2619.29.
  • Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from $1937.5 to $2153, averaging $2045.25.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $100 and $300, averaging $140.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $35 to $100, with an average cost of $60.
Worldwide
United States

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024
Full Cost of Living Rankings

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 26 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$15.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$87.50
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$12.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.45
Cappuccino (regular)
$4.95
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$0.84
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$2.75
Eggs (regular) (12)
$4.67
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.72
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.33
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$6.50
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.73
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.50
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$8.50
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.38
Apples (1kg)
$5.73
Oranges (1kg)
$2.99
Potato (1kg)
$1.26
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.65
Rice (white), (1kg)
$3.31
Tomato (1kg)
$3.51
Banana (1kg)
$1.68
Onion (1kg)
$2.43
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$11.38
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$6.00
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$129.00
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.99
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$24,500.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.53
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$2.87
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$17.50
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$25,533.33
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$1,950.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$1,683.33
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$3,300.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$2,400.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$140.00
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$60.00
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$52.25
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$100.00
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$11.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$36.50
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$62.50
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$118.50
Buy Apartment Price
Avg / Range
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
$2,619.29
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
$2,045.25
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,749.85
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
6.66%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$1,350.00
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$0.00
Naperville Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Naperville offers a relatively high cost of living, with significant expenses in housing and dining.

While transportation and utilities are moderately priced, groceries can vary widely, offering opportunities for budget-conscious shopping.

Prospective residents should plan for higher rental costs, especially in the city centre, and consider the benefits of living outside the centre for more affordable housing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Naperville presents a dynamic living environment with a cost of living that reflects its desirable location and amenities.

While some expenses like housing and dining are on the higher side, careful budgeting and strategic choices can help manage costs effectively.

Overall, Naperville remains an attractive option for those seeking a vibrant community with excellent services and a high quality of life.