Allentown PA 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)
Allentown, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 125,320
- Median HH Income$53,403
- Median Home Price$312,103
- Unemployment8.8%
- Bachelor's+19.4%
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
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 33,889 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.6 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 20.6% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 13.0% | 11.2% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 16.4% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1842 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 21.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Waukegan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 33.7 min | Allentown + |
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, Allentown 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).
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