Living in Naperville, IL
Explore Things To Do, Cost of Living, Top Restaurants and More

• 2025 Top 100 Best Places to Live
• 2024 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Naperville, IL? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Naperville, IL

Those looking to enjoy the big city amenities that come along with Chicago will love living in Naperville.

Naperville is a western suburb in the Chicagoland area, and its residents take pride in the tight-knit community they’ve created. The city of just over 150,000 people was recently named one of the safest cities in America. Unsurprisingly, however, schools get high marks, as does the city’s public library, ranked among the country’s best. People can settle down here, raise a family, work and enjoy all the community has to offer at a much lower cost of living than in the nearby Windy City. 

There’s a commitment to health, too, with excellent hospital and health care options and a citywide emphasis on being active. The Naperville Riverwalk, a 2-mile route along the DuPage River, offers trails, covered bridges, fountains and plenty of places to take in the beautiful surroundings. The Riverwalk area was developed by volunteers, which aligns with its community-minded reputation. The Riverwalk serves as a meeting space for festivals, get-togethers and concerts and it is designed to keep everyone connected. Another plus is the ease of getting around, with commuter rail and bus service and O’Hare International, Midway International, DuPage and Aurora Municipal airports nearby. 

Mix that sense of community with diverse restaurants, a vibrant arts scene, family-friendly activities and lively nightlife and you can see why people want to call Naperville home.

Top Reasons to Move to Naperville

• Naperville is family-friendly, with high safety ratings and one of the best public library systems in the country.
• Commuting to Chicago is a breeze thanks to excellent transit options and access to the I-88 technology corridor.
• The Naperville Riverwalk is at the heart of the city, with brick paths for evening strolls and green spaces for festivals.  
• Naperville residents have world-class health care options thanks to Edward Hospital and a network of specialists. 

The community sits just west of Chicago, right along Interstate 88 – making it easy to zip in and out of the city. The city’s location in DuPage County gives Naperville residents easy access to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, a bustling global hub roughly 25 miles away. Ready to explore further? Here’s how close you are to some major nearby cities:

• Chicago is just 30 miles east, where you can cruise the river to admire architecture, visit the Art Institute or root for the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
• Aurora lies 10 miles west, boasting a historic downtown, the Paramount Theatre and the free Phillips Park Zoo.
• Joliet is about 20 miles south, offering the Hollywood Casino, Rialto Square Theatre and the Des Plaines River Trail.

Summers are hot and humid, and winters are cold and snowy, characteristic of its humid continental climate. The terrain in the Midwestern city is mostly flat, and it experiences typical seasonal variations.

The community boasts a lively economic market with a wealth of job opportunities for those keen on building their careers alongside their families and personal lives. Technology, education, health care and agriculture are among the city’s top industries, further enhanced by its great public transportation system, which reduces the time residents spend in the car each morning. Edward-Elmhurst Health, Indian Prairie School District 204 and Nokia are all major employers in the area.

The cost of living in Naperville is above the national average. The median home value in Naperville is $497,672, and the average household income is $151,621.

Illinois has a state income tax. In 2026, Naperville’s combined sales tax rate is 7.75%.

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Known as one of the largest suburbs of Chicago, Naperville is chock-full of things to do. For those seeking entertainment, immerse yourself in the art world at the Naperville Fine Art Center & Gallery. Or, take a step back in time at the Naper Settlement, a 13-acre living history museum. Spend a day scanning the stalls at the Naperville Farmer’s Market, or let littles learn about local wildlife at Knoch Knolls Nature Center.  

The area has plenty to offer those seeking a little retail therapy. Downtown’s brick streets have a charming collection of boutiques, specialty stores and national retailers, while the Main Street Promenade features a solid mix of pedestrian-friendly shops and restaurants.

Nearly 90% of all residents live within a 10-minute walking distance of a park, so we really mean it when we say the outdoor opportunities are endless. The Naperville Park District maintains and operates over 2,500 acres and 140 parks and offers more than 1,400 recreational, arts and environmental programs annually.

Centennial Beach is a popular community swimming hole. Considered a beach, not a pool, this 15-foot-deep quarry holds 6.2 million gallons of water. Grab some friends and take your pups to Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve, where your four-legged friend will love spending time in a designated off-leash area or exploring the 7 miles of trails. The East and West Branches of the DuPage River meet at Knoch Knolls Park, a more than 200-acre woodlands, prairies and wetlands with a nature center, several miles of multi-use trails, a 9-hole disc golf course, a nature-themed playground for children and fishing and kayaking. McDowell Grove Forest Preserve and Whalon Lake are favorites for nature lovers interested in hiking, biking or birdwatching.

Affectionately known as the “Crown Jewel of Naperville,” the Riverwalk is a breath of fresh air that beckons morning walkers, families out for a stroll and runners looking to stretch their legs on the brick-paved paths along the DuPage River. Newcomers will find scenic views, fountains and art installations while strolling this nearly 2-mile path. Be sure to stop for an afternoon picnic at the Grand Pavilion. 

Narrowing down a place for dinner here is no small task. Plenty of restaurants in town cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences.

For a casual dining experience and classic deli food, check out Schmaltz Delicatessen or The Lucky Penny Deli Cafe. Looking for something more upscale? Consider Mesón Sabika, a Spanish tapas restaurant housed in a historic mansion, or Jackson Avenue Pub, a popular sports bar with a pub-style menu and excellent cocktails.

During winter, the city hosts an annual Naperville Restaurant Week with dozens of participating restaurants.

Education is a high priority for residents. Families benefit from the city’s exceptional educational system, which includes two public school districts: Naperville Community Unit School District 203 (NCUSD 203) and Indian Prairie School District 204 (IPSD 204). Year after year, both districts are ranked among the best in the state; this year, both were among the top 50 in the country, according to Niche. Local families can also choose from several private schools.