Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Austin
59.9%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 33,889 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.6 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 59.9% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 7.5% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 16.4% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $49,019 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 46.1% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Waukegan
16.9%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Austin +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 40.2% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 14.4% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.9% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 21.3% | Austin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.3% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 35.6 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Austin +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Austin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 33.7 min | Austin + |
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 442 in Austin. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Austin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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