Naperville IL vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 19.0% | Naperville + |
| White | 64.5% | 53.7% | Naperville + |
| Black | 4.4% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 3.9% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $77,041 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $40,309 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.1% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 14.3% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 32.3% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 57.1% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 450 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2150 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 32.3% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.8% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 16.2% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 17.3% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.2% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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