Naperville IL vs Springfield IL — 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%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Naperville +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Naperville
64.5%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 113,714 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 40.7 | Naperville + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 4.5% | Naperville + |
| White | 64.5% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.4% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 2.9% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 3.4% | Naperville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Springfield
$41,110
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Springfield
$68,110
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $65,537 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $41,110 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $68,110 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.7% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 16.5% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 35.1% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Springfield
63.4%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 63.4% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Springfield
344
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Springfield
1842
Tie
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 344 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1842 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
Springfield
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Springfield
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Springfield
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 41.1% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.9% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 17.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 8.2% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 14.7% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Naperville. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Springfield 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%.
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