Anchorage AK 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)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 33,889 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.6 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 58.3% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 5.3% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $97,263 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $49,019 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $68,110 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Anchorage +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 40.2% | Anchorage + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 14.4% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.9% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 21.3% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 47.8°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 35.6 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 33.7 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, 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 780 in Anchorage. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anchorage scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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