Naperville vs Birmingham: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Naperville, Illinois compare to Birmingham, Alabama? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Birmingham is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 292% higher in Naperville compared to Birmingham, while rent is 80% higher. State income tax is 4.95% in IL vs 5% in AL.
| Metric | Naperville, IL | Birmingham, AL | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $482,600 | $123,000 | +292.4% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,787 | $995 | +79.6% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $143,754 | $42,464 | +238.5% |
| Per Capita Income | $67,706 | $29,289 | +131.2% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 5.0% | 5.0% | -1.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.8% | 9.2% | -4.2% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 149,089 | 200,431 | -25.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Naperville
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Birmingham
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Naperville costs $482,600 compared to $123,000 in Birmingham — a 292% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,787/mo in Naperville vs $995/mo in Birmingham.
- Income: Median household income is $143,754 in Naperville and $42,464 in Birmingham.
- Taxes: State income tax is 4.95% in Illinois vs 5% in Alabama.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).