Affordable Alternatives to Naperville

Cities ranked by lifestyle match — walkability, job market, and cost of living — not just the cheapest price tag.

COL Index100100 = US avg
1BR Rent$1,650/mo
Walk Score38/100
State Income Tax5%

Best overall alternatives

Ranked by lifestyle match: savings potential, walkability, and economic opportunity — not just cheapest price.

Best Match
🌽 Des Moines
Iowa, IA
13% cheaper
vs. Naperville
COL 87
100 = US avg
1BR rent$1,200/mo
Monthly savings$450/mo
Walk score36/100
Median income$62K/yr
DetailsCompare
🌽 Lincoln
Nebraska, NE
14% cheaper
vs. Naperville
COL 86
100 = US avg
1BR rent$1,150/mo
Monthly savings$500/mo
Walk score36/100
Median income$57K/yr
DetailsCompare
🌽 Omaha
Nebraska, NE
13% cheaper
vs. Naperville
COL 87
100 = US avg
1BR rent$1,200/mo
Monthly savings$450/mo
Walk score34/100
Median income$60K/yr
DetailsCompare

Moving to Des Moines saves you $450/mo. Put it to work while you plan.

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Stay in Illinois

Cheaper cities within Illinois — same state laws, familiar surroundings.

🍕 Springfield
COL 81
1BR $1,000/mo
19% cheaper
🍕 Rockford
COL 82
1BR $1,050/mo
18% cheaper
🍕 Peoria
COL 83
1BR $1,050/mo
17% cheaper

Eliminate Illinois's 5% state income tax

These states charge $0 in state income tax. On a $120K salary, that's $6,000/year back in your pocket — before factoring in the lower COL.

🌮 Laredo
No income tax
COL 79
1BR $950/mo
21% cheaper
🌮 El Paso
No income tax
COL 80
1BR $1,050/mo
20% cheaper
🤠 Amarillo
No income tax
COL 80
1BR $950/mo
20% cheaper
🤠 Lubbock
No income tax
COL 81
1BR $1,000/mo
19% cheaper

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More affordable metros

All other established metros cheaper than Naperville, sorted by cost of living.

🎵 Jackson, MS
COL 791BR $1,000/moSave $650/mo on rent21% cheaper
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🎯 Springfield, MO
COL 791BR $950/moSave $700/mo on rent21% cheaper
DetailsCompare
⚙️ Montgomery, AL
COL 811BR $1,050/moSave $600/mo on rent19% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🎷 Shreveport, LA
COL 811BR $1,000/moSave $650/mo on rent19% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🌻 Toledo, OH
COL 811BR $1,050/moSave $600/mo on rent19% cheaper
DetailsCompare
🏁 Fort Wayne, IN
COL 811BR $1,000/moSave $650/mo on rent19% cheaper
DetailsCompare

Naperville at a glance

100
COL index
100 = US avg
$1,650
1BR rent
per month
$430K
Home price
median
5%
State tax
income

Cities with similar cost of living

Phoenix, AZCOL: 100Charlotte, NCCOL: 100Henderson, NVCOL: 100Stockton, CACOL: 100

COL data: Numbeo, Zillow, BLS · Walk scores: Walk Score® · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only