Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
Boca Raton +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 33,889 | Boca Raton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 77.2% | 61.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $97,263 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $49,019 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 46.1% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 65.5% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boca Raton +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boca Raton +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 40.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.4% | Boca Raton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 16.9% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 21.3% | Boca Raton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 14.3% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Boca Raton +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boca Raton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Boca Raton +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 33.7 min | Boca Raton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, while waukegan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $239,865. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
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