Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 149,424 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 40.1 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 25.6% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 67.1% | 4.4% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $618,452 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Naperville
1842
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1842 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.7% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 33.8 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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