Akron OH vs Waukegan IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Waukegan, IL
Illinois · Population: 33,889
- Median HH Income$97,263
- Median Home Price$239,865
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Akron
56.1%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Akron
29.4%
Akron +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 33,889 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.6 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 56.1% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 29.4% | 11.2% | Akron + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $239,865 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Akron +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Akron +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 21.3% | Akron + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.8% | Akron + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Akron, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Waukegan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 33.7 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Waukegan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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