Naperville IL vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
Washington
13.3%
White
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 13.3% | Naperville + |
| White | 64.5% | 39.1% | Naperville + |
| Black | 4.4% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 4.1% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Washington
$106,287
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Washington
63.6%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $106,287 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.5% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 14.5% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 63.6% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 41.1% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
Washington
14.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Washington
6.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Naperville +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 14.6% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 6.7% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 24.0% | Naperville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.7% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Washington
32.8 min
Washington +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 32.8 min | Washington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Washington. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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