Charleston SC 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)
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
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
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Naperville
64.5%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 149,424 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 40.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 72.9% | 64.5% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 4.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Naperville
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.2% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $618,452 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Naperville
16.7%
Naperville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 16.7% | Naperville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 33.8 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $593,739. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
Compare More Cities
Charleston, SC vs New York, NYCharleston, SC vs Los Angeles, CACharleston, SC vs Chicago, ILCharleston, SC vs Houston, TXCharleston, SC vs Phoenix, AZCharleston, SC vs Philadelphia, PA