Modesto CA 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)
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
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
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Modesto
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Modesto
18.7%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Modesto
50.8%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Modesto
7.4%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Modesto
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 149,424 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 40.1 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 50.8% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 4.7% | 4.4% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 7.4% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 43.9% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Modesto
$77,899
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Modesto
$34,656
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Naperville
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Modesto
7.3%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Modesto
13.0%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Modesto
20.3%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,899 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,656 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.3% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.0% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.3% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Modesto
58.4%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $447,353 | $618,452 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
503
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Modesto
2388
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
36.2%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Modesto
12.1%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Modesto
19.0%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.0%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Modesto
13.7%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.7% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
63.7°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Modesto
13.1 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 33.8 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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