Kent WA 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)
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
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
Kent
84,389
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Naperville
64.5%
Black
Kent
2.3%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 149,424 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 40.1 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 67.2% | 64.5% | Kent + |
| Black | 2.3% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 7.4% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Naperville
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $68,110 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Naperville
$618,452
Naperville +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $618,452 | Naperville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Naperville
27.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 27.9% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Kent +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kent + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Kent, WA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 33.8 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while naperville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $618,452. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 383 in Kent. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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