Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 149,424 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 40.1 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 39.9% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 46.9% | 4.4% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $618,452 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Naperville
1842
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Naperville
16.7%
Naperville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.7% | Naperville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Naperville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Naperville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 33.8 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Atlanta. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Naperville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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