Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Naperville
22.6%
White
Boston
47.8%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 149,424 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 40.1 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 22.6% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 21.5% | 4.4% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 7.4% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Naperville
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $68,110 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Naperville
$618,452
Naperville +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $618,452 | Naperville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
Naperville
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Naperville
1842
| Metric | Boston, MA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 344 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1842 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Naperville
27.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Naperville
8.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Naperville
16.7%
Naperville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 27.9% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.7% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 16.7% | Naperville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Boston +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Boston +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Boston, MA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 33.8 min | Boston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while naperville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $618,452. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Naperville. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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