Charleston WV 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, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
47,918
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Naperville
40.1
Naperville +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Naperville
64.5%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 149,424 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 40.1 | Naperville + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 76.6% | 64.5% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 4.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $618,452 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 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, WV | 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
40.2%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.7% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Charleston +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Naperville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 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 $164,532. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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