Naperville IL vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Richmond
10.3%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 8.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 64.5% | 43.2% | Naperville + |
| Black | 4.4% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 2.1% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 10.3% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Richmond
$44,249
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Richmond
44.1%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $62,671 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $44,249 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.0% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 18.8% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 44.1% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $374,265 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 43.5% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 36.7% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 18.8% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 10.7% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.9% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $374,265. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Naperville. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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