Naperville, IL vs Waukegan, IL

The cost of living difference between Naperville, IL and Waukegan, IL is dramatic. Waukegan is 56.2% cheaper than Naperville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Naperville has a cost index of 134 while Waukegan sits at 86, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Naperville is $1,852/month compared to $1,163/month in Waukegan — a 59% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Waukegan is more affordable at $177,600 median vs $509,900.

Median household income in Naperville is $150,937 compared to $70,578 in Waukegan (+113.9%). While Naperville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Naperville spend roughly 14.7% of their income on rent, less than the 19.8% in Waukegan.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (49.7°F vs 48.3°F). Waukegan receives more rainfall at 35.3" per year compared to 33.2" in Naperville.