Naperville, Illinois
Population: 9.5 million**
Share of population 65+: 11.0%
Cost of Living: 0.4% above the national average*
Average Income for Households 65+: $76,609
Community Score: 59.5**
State’s Tax Rating for Retirees: Mixed
Part of the sprawling Chicago metro area, along with nearby Joliet, this suburb lets you take a step back from city living while keeping you close enough to enjoy its benefits whenever you’d like. Naperville (city population: 147,682) offers a pedestrian-friendly downtown loaded with shops and restaurants, as well as the 1.75-mile Riverwalk.
The ride from Naperville to Chicago’s Union Station is about an hour, and people 65 and over qualify for reduced fares on the Metra commuter-rail system. Once in the city, you can relish everything that makes Chicago famous, including its food, bars, beaches, architecture, sports teams and art scene.
*Based on cost of living in Joliet-Will County.**Based on Chicago metro area data.