Dayton OH 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)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
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
Dayton
136,741
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Dayton
51.3%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 149,424 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 40.1 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 51.3% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 38.0% | 4.4% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $618,452 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Naperville
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dayton +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.7% | Dayton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Naperville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Naperville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Naperville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 33.8 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Naperville. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Naperville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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