Naperville IL vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Stamford
38.2
Stamford +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 135,806 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 38.2 | Stamford + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 64.5% | 49.1% | Naperville + |
| Black | 4.4% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 7.1% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Stamford
$107,474
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Stamford
$64,382
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Stamford
9.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $107,474 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $64,382 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.9% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 9.5% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 51.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Naperville +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $708,498 | Naperville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 47.5% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
Stamford
14.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Stamford
8.7%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 14.4% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Stamford +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Stamford + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Stamford
30.1 min
Stamford +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 30.1 min | Stamford + |
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, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Naperville. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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