Lafayette LA 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)
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
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
Lafayette
121,537
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 149,424 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 40.1 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 59.1% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 28.6% | 4.4% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 7.4% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $618,452 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Naperville
16.7%
Naperville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.7% | Naperville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 33.8 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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