Naperville IL vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Naperville
4.4%
South Bend
24.4%
South Bend +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 102,866 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 8.9% | Naperville + |
| White | 64.5% | 54.1% | Naperville + |
| Black | 4.4% | 24.4% | South Bend + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 1.7% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $52,512 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $29,511 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,697 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.0% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 29.4% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
South Bend
58.8%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 58.8% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Naperville +
South Bend
370
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 370 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 39.7% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.2% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 20.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 12.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 18.2% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | Naperville, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Naperville +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
South Bend
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Naperville, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Naperville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in South Bend. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Naperville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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