Naperville IL vs Nashua NH — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Naperville, IL

Illinois · Population: 149,424

  • Median HH Income$150,937
  • Median Home Price$618,452
  • Unemployment4.2%
  • Bachelor's+71.7%

Nashua, NH

New Hampshire · Population: 91,131

  • Median HH Income$92,457
  • Median Home Price$507,692
  • Unemployment4.8%
  • Bachelor's+40.5%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Nashua
39.7
Nashua +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
Nashua
16.4%
White
Naperville
64.5%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Nashua
7.6%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Nashua
14.0%
Nashua +
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Nashua
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Nashua
$92,457
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Nashua
$50,026
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Nashua
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Nashua
7.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Nashua
40.5%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Nashua
$507,692
Nashua +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Nashua
56.4%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Nashua
1048
Nashua +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Nashua
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Nashua
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
Nashua
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Nashua
8.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Nashua
10.9%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Nashua
47.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Nashua
48.0 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Nashua +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Nashua
27.6 min
Nashua +

Which City is Right for You?

Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while nashua offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,692. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Naperville. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.

Compare More Cities

About Naperville & Nashua