Kansas City 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
508,233
Kansas City +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 149,424 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 40.1 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 57.8% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 25.8% | 4.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 7.4% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $618,452 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Kansas City, 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
Kansas City
38.5%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Naperville
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Naperville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 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 $253,319. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Kansas City 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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