Milwaukee 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)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
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
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 149,424 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 40.1 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 36.5% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 38.6% | 4.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 7.4% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $618,452 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Naperville
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Naperville
1842
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 344 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1842 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Milwaukee +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Milwaukee +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Naperville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Milwaukee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 33.8 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Naperville. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Milwaukee 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%.
Compare More Cities
Milwaukee, WI vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Milwaukee, WIChicago, IL vs Milwaukee, WIHouston, TX vs Milwaukee, WIMilwaukee, WI vs Phoenix, AZMilwaukee, WI vs Philadelphia, PA