Athens GA vs Naperville IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Naperville, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,424
- Median HH Income$150,937
- Median Home Price$618,452
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+71.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Athens
126,987
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Athens
57.6%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 149,424 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 40.1 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 57.6% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 26.2% | 4.4% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 7.4% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $618,452 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Naperville
1842
| Metric | Athens, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Naperville
27.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Naperville
8.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Naperville
12.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Naperville
4.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Naperville
7.4%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 27.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 4.6% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 7.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Naperville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Naperville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Athens, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Naperville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 33.8 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Naperville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).
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