Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 33,889 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.6 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 27.4% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 60.0% | 11.2% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $68,110 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $239,865 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1842 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Waukegan
14.4%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 40.2% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.4% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 21.3% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Baltimore +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baltimore + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Baltimore +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 33.7 min | Baltimore + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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