Houston TX 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Naperville
22.6%
White
Houston
35.5%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 149,424 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 40.1 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 22.6% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 22.9% | 4.4% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 7.4% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $618,452 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Naperville
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Naperville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 33.8 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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