Allen TX 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)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
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
Allen
107,684
Allen +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Allen
55.7%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Allen
10.6%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 33,889 | Allen + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 20.6% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 10.6% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 11.3% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Waukegan
5.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $97,263 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $49,019 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 5.8% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 46.1% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 65.5% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 40.2% | Allen + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.4% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 16.9% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 21.3% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.3% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Allen +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Allen, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 35.6 in | Allen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Allen +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allen, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Allen + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Allen +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Allen, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 33.7 min | Allen + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, 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 442 in Allen. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Allen has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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