Naperville IL vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Seattle
17.2%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 19.9% | Naperville + |
| White | 64.5% | 61.8% | Naperville + |
| Black | 4.4% | 6.6% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 17.2% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Seattle
$121,984
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Seattle
67.5%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $121,984 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 9.9% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 67.5% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Naperville +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $871,599 | Naperville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 44.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 383 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3409 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Seattle
6.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Naperville +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 15.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 6.1% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.0% | Naperville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
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 383 in Seattle. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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