Albuquerque NM 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)
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico · Population: 562,488
- Median HH Income$65,604
- Median Home Price$346,496
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+38.6%
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
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 33,889 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 55.3% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 3.3% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 16.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 40.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 14.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.9% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 21.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.8% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.3% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 35.6 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Albuquerque +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Albuquerque + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 33.7 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while waukegan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $239,865. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albuquerque scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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