Naperville IL vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 13.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 64.5% | 53.8% | Naperville + |
| Black | 4.4% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 4.7% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Raleigh
$82,424
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Raleigh
$49,948
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Raleigh
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Raleigh
11.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Raleigh
52.9%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $82,424 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $49,948 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.5% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 11.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 52.9% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 51.2% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Raleigh
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Raleigh
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Raleigh
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Raleigh
10.5%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 30.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.1% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 16.6% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 9.7% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.5% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Raleigh + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Raleigh. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Raleigh 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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