Lexington KY 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)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
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
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Naperville
64.5%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 149,424 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 40.1 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 69.9% | 64.5% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 4.4% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 7.4% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $618,452 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Naperville
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Naperville
1842
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 344 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1842 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Naperville
27.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Naperville
8.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Naperville
12.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Naperville
4.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Naperville
7.4%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 4.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Lexington +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Lexington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 33.8 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Naperville. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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