Naperville IL vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 64.5% | 58.0% | Naperville + |
| Black | 4.4% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 6.9% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $67,544 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $35,825 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.4% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 19.8% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 34.1% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Worcester
$435,532
Worcester +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $435,532 | Worcester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 42.4% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Worcester
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Naperville +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 35.3% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.4% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 19.9% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.1% | Naperville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 14.5% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while worcester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,532. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Naperville. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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