Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 33,889 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.6 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 25.6% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 67.1% | 11.2% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $239,865 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1842 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 21.3% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.8% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Birmingham +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Birmingham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 33.7 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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