Naperville IL vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 98,677 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 38.0 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 7.5% | Naperville + |
| White | 64.5% | 57.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 4.4% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 3.1% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $52,671 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $34,792 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.5% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 19.7% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 28.9% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 51.7% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 41.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.9% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 18.4% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 11.0% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 16.7% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 44.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke 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 Roanoke 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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