Albuquerque NM vs Naperville IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico · Population: 562,488
- Median HH Income$65,604
- Median Home Price$346,496
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+38.6%
Naperville, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,424
- Median HH Income$150,937
- Median Home Price$618,452
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+71.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Albuquerque +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 149,424 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 40.1 | Albuquerque + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 55.3% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 3.3% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 7.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $618,452 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.7% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 33.8 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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