Cambridge 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)
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
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
Cambridge
117,794
Cambridge +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 33,889 | Cambridge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 37.6 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 20.6% | Cambridge + |
| White | 57.5% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 10.5% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 11.3% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $97,263 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $49,019 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $68,110 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.3% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 46.1% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 344 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1842 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | 40.2% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | 14.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.9% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | 21.3% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 14.3% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | 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.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
Cambridge +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Cambridge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cambridge
28.3 min
Cambridge +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 33.7 min | Cambridge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while waukegan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $239,865. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
Compare More Cities
Cambridge, MA vs New York, NYCambridge, MA vs Los Angeles, CACambridge, MA vs Chicago, ILCambridge, MA vs Houston, TXCambridge, MA vs Phoenix, AZCambridge, MA vs Philadelphia, PA