Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 149,424 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 40.1 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 27.4% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 60.0% | 4.4% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 7.4% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Naperville
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $68,110 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $618,452 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Naperville
1842
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1842 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.7% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Baltimore +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 33.8 min | Baltimore + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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