Naperville IL vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Naperville
149,424
Naperville +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Naperville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Naperville
40.1
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Naperville
22.6%
Naperville +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Naperville
4.4%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Naperville
21.8%
Naperville +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Naperville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,424 | 107,699 | Naperville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 22.6% | 4.7% | Naperville + |
| White | 64.5% | 49.6% | Naperville + |
| Black | 4.4% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 21.8% | 2.6% | Naperville + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 5.2% | Naperville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Naperville
$68,110
Naperville +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $150,937 | $48,536 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,011 | $31,324 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $51,690 | Naperville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.0% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.4% | 23.8% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.7% | 38.1% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Naperville
$618,452
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $618,452 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.3% | 45.1% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Tuscaloosa
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Naperville
1842
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 400 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
27.9%
Naperville +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Naperville
16.7%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 42.6% | Naperville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.0% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.3% | 21.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.6% | 11.5% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 14.7% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Naperville
N/A
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Naperville
55.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tuscaloosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Naperville
33.8 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Tuscaloosa. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Tuscaloosa 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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