Naperville IL vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 8.3% | Naperville + |
| White | 64.5% | 41.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 4.4% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 3.2% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $46,628 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $30,451 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.9% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 26.6% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 29.9% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 37.2% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 38.0% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.3% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 18.8% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 10.9% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 16.6% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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