Lakeland FL 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)
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
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
Lakeland
82,506
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Naperville
40.1
Naperville +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Naperville
64.5%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 149,424 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 40.1 | Naperville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 74.1% | 64.5% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 4.4% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 7.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $618,452 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Naperville
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Naperville
1842
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.7% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Lakeland +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lakeland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 33.8 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Naperville. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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