Linden, NJ vs Naperville, IL
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Linden
67.6
#1401 nationally
Naperville
75.7
#429 nationally
Naperville leads in median household income ($150,937 vs $86,801). Linden leads in walk score (63 vs 46). Linden leads in crime level (7.2 vs 9.3).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Linden, NJ | Naperville, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.6 (#1401) | 75.7 (#429) |
| Population | 43,950 | 149,424 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $553,705 | $629,473 |
| Median Household Income | $86,801 | $150,937 |
| Average Commute | 31.4 min | 29.4 min |
| Walk Score | 63 | 46 |
| Crime Level | 7.2 | 9.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 125 | 112 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+24.2 | D+13.3 |
D+
67.6 Score
Linden, NJ
Small New Jersey city with local appeal
Median Home
$553,705
Population
43,950
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
63
Northeast
View Linden, NJ →
C
75.7 Score
Naperville, IL
Where families thrive and communities flourish
Median Home
$629,473
Population
149,424
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Midwest
View Naperville, IL →