Bend OR 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)
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
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
Bend
97,502
Bend +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Waukegan
37.6
Tie
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 33,889 | Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 37.6 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 65.5% | 61.9% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 11.3% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 16.4% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $49,019 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.3% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 46.1% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 40.2% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 14.4% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.9% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 21.3% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 14.3% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 47.8°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 35.6 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Bend +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bend, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 33.7 min | Bend + |
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 355 in Bend. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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