Brockton MA 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)
Brockton, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 105,080
- Median HH Income$77,089
- Median Home Price$506,468
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Brockton
105,080
Brockton +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brockton
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Brockton
36.5
Brockton +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Brockton
32.9%
Brockton +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Brockton
29.2%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Brockton
38.3%
Brockton +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Brockton
2.2%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Brockton
12.9%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Brockton
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,080 | 33,889 | Brockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.6 | Brockton + |
| Foreign Born | 32.9% | 20.6% | Brockton + |
| White | 29.2% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 38.3% | 11.2% | Brockton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brockton
$77,089
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Brockton
$35,524
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brockton
$85,405
Brockton +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Brockton
8.3%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Brockton
13.9%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brockton
21.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,089 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,524 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $68,110 | Brockton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brockton
$506,468
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Brockton
57.0%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $506,468 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
326
Brockton +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brockton
1086
Brockton +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 344 | Brockton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1842 | Brockton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
35.9%
Brockton +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brockton
13.4%
Brockton +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brockton
21.4%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brockton
8.4%
Brockton +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brockton
15.3%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brockton
17.7%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 40.2% | Brockton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.4% | Brockton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 21.3% | Brockton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.2°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brockton
49.9 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brockton
7.2 µg/m³
Brockton +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brockton
75.0%
Brockton +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Brockton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Brockton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brockton
34.1 min
Waukegan
33.7 min
Waukegan +
| Metric | Brockton, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 33.7 min | Waukegan + |
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, Brockton is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Brockton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Brockton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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