Naperville IL vs Pittsburgh PA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Naperville, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,424
- Median HH Income$150,937
- Median Home Price$618,452
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+71.7%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 9.3% | Naperville + |
| White | 64.5% | 63.7% | Naperville + |
| Black | 4.4% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 5.8% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Pittsburgh
47.8%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $64,137 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $43,590 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,080 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.9% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 19.5% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 47.8% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 47.2% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Naperville +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Naperville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 25.0 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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).
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