Baton Rouge LA 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)
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
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
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 33,889 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 37.6 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 36.2% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 51.0% | 11.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Baton Rouge +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $239,865 | Baton Rouge + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 40.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 21.3% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Baton Rouge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 33.7 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while baton Rouge offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,011. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
Compare More Cities
Baton Rouge, LA vs New York, NYBaton Rouge, LA vs Los Angeles, CABaton Rouge, LA vs Chicago, ILBaton Rouge, LA vs Houston, TXBaton Rouge, LA vs Phoenix, AZBaton Rouge, LA vs Philadelphia, PA