Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 149,424 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 40.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 53.6% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 28.1% | 4.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 7.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $618,452 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Naperville
1842
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Naperville
27.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Naperville
8.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Naperville
12.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Naperville
4.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Naperville
7.4%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 4.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Naperville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Naperville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Naperville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 33.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Naperville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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