Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Naperville
64.5%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Boulder +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 149,424 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 40.1 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 81.8% | 64.5% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 7.4% | Boulder + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Naperville
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Naperville
71.7%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $68,110 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 71.7% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Naperville
$618,452
Naperville +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $618,452 | Naperville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Naperville
27.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Naperville
8.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Naperville
16.7%
Naperville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 27.9% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 8.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.7% | Naperville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 33.8 min | Boulder + |
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, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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