Naperville IL vs St. Louis 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Naperville
4.4%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 6.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 64.5% | 45.7% | Naperville + |
| Black | 4.4% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 3.4% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 5.1% | Naperville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
St. Louis
40.2%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $55,279 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $38,947 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,527 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.1% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 19.8% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 40.2% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 45.4% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Naperville +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Naperville, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 501 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2418 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
St. Louis
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
St. Louis
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Naperville +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 36.8% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 13.2% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 18.8% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 9.4% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.9% | Naperville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 16.8% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
St. Louis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Naperville, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | St. Louis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and St. Louis 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%.
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