Columbus GA 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 149,424 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 40.1 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 39.3% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 46.7% | 4.4% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 7.4% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $618,452 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Naperville
1842
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.7% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Naperville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Naperville
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Naperville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 33.8 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. 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%.
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