Montgomery AL 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)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 149,424 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 40.1 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 22.6% | Naperville + |
| White | 27.7% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 63.0% | 4.4% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 21.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $68,110 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Naperville
$618,452
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $618,452 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Naperville
1842
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1842 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 27.9% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.7% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Montgomery +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Montgomery +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Montgomery + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Montgomery + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Naperville
33.8 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 33.8 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Montgomery. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Montgomery has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Naperville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.9%.
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