Naperville IL vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Naperville +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Naperville
64.5%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Sterling Heights +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 133,473 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 41.5 | Naperville + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 64.5% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 4.4% | 6.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 9.0% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 2.4% | Naperville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $78,429 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $37,315 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,052 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 10.6% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 31.2% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 471 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 36.0% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.5% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 17.2% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 6.7% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 15.3% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | 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
Naperville +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Sterling Heights
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Naperville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. 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