Broken Arrow OK 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)
Broken Arrow, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 115,919
- Median HH Income$85,220
- Median Home Price$289,352
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Broken Arrow
115,919
Broken Arrow +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Broken Arrow
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Broken Arrow
37.0
Broken Arrow +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Broken Arrow
8.2%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Broken Arrow
68.4%
Broken Arrow +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Broken Arrow
5.9%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Broken Arrow
4.6%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Broken Arrow
11.3%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Broken Arrow
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 33,889 | Broken Arrow + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 37.6 | Broken Arrow + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 68.4% | 61.9% | Broken Arrow + |
| Black | 5.9% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Broken Arrow
$85,220
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Broken Arrow
$46,356
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Broken Arrow
$57,929
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Broken Arrow
4.3%
Broken Arrow +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Broken Arrow
9.0%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Broken Arrow
35.0%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,220 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,356 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.0% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Broken Arrow
$289,352
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Broken Arrow
72.6%
Broken Arrow +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,352 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.6% | 65.5% | Broken Arrow + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
429
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
2375
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
33.7%
Broken Arrow +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
10.6%
Broken Arrow +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Broken Arrow
16.9%
Waukegan
16.9%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
9.1%
Broken Arrow +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
14.1%
Broken Arrow +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
13.2%
Broken Arrow +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 40.2% | Broken Arrow + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.4% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.9% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 21.3% | Broken Arrow + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.8% | Broken Arrow + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.3% | Broken Arrow + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | 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.)
Broken Arrow
8.8 µg/m³
Broken Arrow +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Broken Arrow
75.0%
Broken Arrow +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Broken Arrow + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Broken Arrow + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
Broken Arrow +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.3 min | 33.7 min | Broken Arrow + |
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 429 in Broken Arrow. Broken Arrow has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Broken Arrow has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Broken Arrow scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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