Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 149,424 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 40.1 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 49.4% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 38.7% | 4.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $618,452 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Naperville
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Naperville
16.7%
Naperville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.7% | Naperville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Naperville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Naperville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Naperville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 33.8 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Naperville. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Cincinnati, OH vs New York, NYCincinnati, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cincinnati, OHCincinnati, OH vs Houston, TXCincinnati, OH vs Phoenix, AZCincinnati, OH vs Philadelphia, PA