Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Naperville
64.5%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 149,424 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 40.1 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 73.0% | 64.5% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 4.4% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Naperville
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.2% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $618,452 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Naperville
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Naperville
1842
| Metric | Madison, WI | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 344 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1842 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Naperville
8.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Naperville
16.7%
Naperville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.7% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 16.7% | Naperville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Madison +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Naperville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Madison, WI | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Madison + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 33.8 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Naperville. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison 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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