Naperville IL vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 9.1% | Naperville + |
| White | 64.5% | 61.6% | Naperville + |
| Black | 4.4% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 7.2% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $90,685 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $47,372 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.3% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 8.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 40.4% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 64.9% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 36.5% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.8% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 16.7% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 8.3% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.1% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Naperville. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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