Naperville IL vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 47,823 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 11.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 64.5% | 62.2% | Naperville + |
| Black | 4.4% | 1.8% | Naperville + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 1.6% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $50,294 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $28,418 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $53,141 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.9% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 24.2% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 19.6% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Rio Rancho +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Rio Rancho
66.4%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $362,476 | Rio Rancho + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 66.4% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 834 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3177 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
Rio Rancho
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Rio Rancho
10.5%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 31.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.6% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 15.4% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 11.5% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.5% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rio Rancho + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while rio Rancho offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $362,476. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Rio Rancho. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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