Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 149,424 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 40.1 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 44.0% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 20.4% | 4.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 7.4% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $618,452 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 33.8 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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