Naperville IL vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Naperville +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
Naperville
64.5%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 49.2 | Naperville + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 11.2% | Naperville + |
| White | 64.5% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 4.4% | 2.0% | Naperville + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 5.1% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Scottsdale
$107,372
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Scottsdale
7.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Scottsdale
61.5%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $107,372 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 7.1% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 61.5% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Naperville +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Scottsdale
67.6%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $858,307 | Naperville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 67.6% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 450 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2150 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Scottsdale
6.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Tie
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.4% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 6.3% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 7.4% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Scottsdale
10.3 in
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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