Naperville IL vs San Diego CA — 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Naperville
4.4%
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
San Diego
17.6%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 64.5% | 50.4% | Naperville + |
| Black | 4.4% | 5.7% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 17.6% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
San Diego
$104,321
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
San Diego
$54,678
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
San Diego
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
San Diego
49.9%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $104,321 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $54,678 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.9% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 11.1% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 49.9% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Naperville +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $1,006,261 | Naperville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 47.6% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Naperville +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Naperville, IL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 503 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2388 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
San Diego
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
San Diego
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
San Diego
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Naperville +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
San Diego
9.3%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.2% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 16.5% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 8.5% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.9% | Naperville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.3% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
San Diego
12.3 in
| Metric | Naperville, IL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.6°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
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while naperville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $618,452. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
Compare More Cities
Naperville, IL vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Naperville, ILChicago, IL vs Naperville, ILHouston, TX vs Naperville, ILNaperville, IL vs Phoenix, AZNaperville, IL vs Philadelphia, PA