Naperville IL vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 14.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 64.5% | 36.1% | Naperville + |
| Black | 4.4% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 7.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $60,698 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $37,669 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,080 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 8.4% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 22.0% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 34.6% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 52.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Naperville +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Naperville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Naperville +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 34.5 min | Naperville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Naperville. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Naperville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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