Denver 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Denver
62.9%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 149,424 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 40.1 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 62.9% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 8.8% | 4.4% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 7.4% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Naperville
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $68,110 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Denver +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $618,452 | Denver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Denver, 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
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Naperville
27.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Naperville
8.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Naperville
16.7%
Naperville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 8.7% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 16.7% | Naperville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Denver +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Denver, CO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 33.8 min | Denver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while denver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $541,899. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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