Naperville IL vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 64.5% | 16.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 4.4% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 1.9% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $48,416 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $25,509 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 10.9% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 24.7% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 17.4% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $482,675 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 24.1% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 35.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.6% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 20.0% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 23.4% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 18.2% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Naperville +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 35.9 min | Naperville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while newark offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $482,675. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Naperville. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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