Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Durham
44.0%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 149,424 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 40.1 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 44.0% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 34.4% | 4.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 7.4% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Naperville
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $618,452 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Durham, NC | 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
Durham
36.8%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.7% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 33.8 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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