Naperville IL vs Sugar Land TX — 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Naperville +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Sugar Land
7.7%
Sugar Land +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Sugar Land
12.3%
Sugar Land +
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 109,735 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 42.5 | Naperville + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 64.5% | 40.6% | Naperville + |
| Black | 4.4% | 7.7% | Sugar Land + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 12.3% | Sugar Land + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Sugar Land
$137,511
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Sugar Land
$60,258
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Sugar Land
5.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Sugar Land
62.4%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $137,511 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $60,258 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.5% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 5.1% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 62.4% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Sugar Land
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Sugar Land
8.2%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.2% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 8.5% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.2% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Sugar Land +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Sugar Land
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Sugar Land + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 31.6 min | Sugar Land + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while sugar Land offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $449,058. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Sugar Land. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Sugar Land has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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