Naperville IL vs Paterson 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Paterson
N/A
White
Naperville
64.5%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 64.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 4.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 21.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 37.5% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 16.1% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 18.6% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 28.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 16.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Paterson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $527,542. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Naperville. Paterson 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%.
Compare More Cities
Naperville, IL vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Naperville, ILChicago, IL vs Naperville, ILHouston, TX vs Naperville, ILNaperville, IL vs Phoenix, AZNaperville, IL vs Philadelphia, PA