Naperville IL vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
Salem
12.2%
White
Naperville
64.5%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 12.2% | Naperville + |
| White | 64.5% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 4.4% | 1.6% | Naperville + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 3.5% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $71,900 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $36,477 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,691 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.3% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 14.7% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 31.4% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $438,754 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 55.7% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Salem
355
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 355 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3001 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Salem
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Salem
12.4%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 41.4% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 18.8% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 11.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Salem. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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