Macon 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)

Macon, GA

Georgia · Population: 61,773

  • Median HH Income$70,086
  • Median Home Price$171,916
  • Unemployment3.9%
  • Bachelor's+46.8%

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
Macon
61,773
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Macon +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Macon
43.7%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Naperville
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Naperville
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Macon +
Naperville
1842

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Naperville
27.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Naperville
8.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Naperville
12.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Naperville
4.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Naperville
7.4%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
64.6°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Naperville
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Naperville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Naperville
55.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Macon +
Naperville
33.8 min

Which City is Right for You?

Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Macon. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Naperville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³).

Compare More Cities

About Macon & Naperville