Fresno CA 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Fresno
38.0%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 149,424 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 40.1 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 38.0% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 6.7% | 4.4% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 7.4% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Naperville
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $618,452 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.7% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 33.8 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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