Independence MO 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)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
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
Independence
121,944
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Naperville
64.5%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 149,424 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 40.1 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 72.2% | 64.5% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 4.4% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 7.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $618,452 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Naperville
16.7%
Naperville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.7% | Naperville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Naperville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Independence, MO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 33.8 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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