Naperville IL vs Springfield MO — 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, MO

Missouri · Population: 169,432

  • Median HH Income$45,984
  • Median Home Price$245,279
  • Unemployment4.3%
  • Bachelor's+30.3%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Naperville
149,424
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Naperville
64.5%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Springfield
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Springfield
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Springfield
30.3%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Springfield
42.9%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
Springfield
2418

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Springfield
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Springfield
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Springfield
17.1%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Springfield
45.6 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Springfield
19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.

Compare More Cities

About Naperville & Springfield