Naperville IL vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Naperville +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Naperville
64.5%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Santa Ana
9.8%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 91,535 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 42.9 | Naperville + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 64.5% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 4.4% | 4.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 9.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Santa Ana
$109,739
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Santa Ana
68.9%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $109,739 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.1% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 11.6% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 68.9% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Naperville +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $865,610 | Naperville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 28.8% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Santa Ana, 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%
Naperville +
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 29.0% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 13.0% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 18.7% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 20.7% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.6% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
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 Santa Ana. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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