Aurora CO 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)
Aurora, CO
Colorado · Population: 390,201
- Median HH Income$84,320
- Median Home Price$464,881
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 33,889 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.6 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 20.6% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 15.8% | 11.2% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 16.4% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $68,110 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Aurora +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 40.2% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.4% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 21.3% | Aurora + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.3% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Aurora +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Aurora + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Aurora +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 33.7 min | Aurora + |
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 512 in Aurora. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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