Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 33,889 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 37.6 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 81.8% | 61.9% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $49,019 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $68,110 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 46.1% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 40.2% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 14.4% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 21.3% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 14.3% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 35.6 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Boulder +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Boulder + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 33.7 min | Boulder + |
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 512 in Boulder. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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