Buffalo NY 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)
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 33,889 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.6 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 45.4% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 32.9% | 11.2% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $68,110 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1842 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 40.2% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.4% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 21.3% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 33.7 min | Buffalo + |
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 434 in Buffalo. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Buffalo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.4%.
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