Carmel IN 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)
Carmel, IN
Indiana · Population: 100,501
- Median HH Income$134,602
- Median Home Price$570,592
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+74.5%
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
Carmel
100,501
Carmel +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carmel
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Carmel
40.5
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Carmel
12.9%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Carmel
77.5%
Carmel +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Carmel
3.7%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Carmel
11.6%
Carmel +
Waukegan
11.3%
Hispanic
Carmel
5.0%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Carmel
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,501 | 33,889 | Carmel + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 77.5% | 61.9% | Carmel + |
| Black | 3.7% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 11.6% | 11.3% | Carmel + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carmel
$134,602
Carmel +
Waukegan
$97,263
Per Capita Income
Carmel
$71,546
Carmel +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carmel
$58,697
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Carmel
2.7%
Carmel +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Carmel
3.7%
Carmel +
Waukegan
5.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carmel
74.5%
Carmel +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $134,602 | $97,263 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Income | $71,546 | $49,019 | Carmel + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.3% | Carmel + |
| Poverty Rate | 3.7% | 5.8% | Carmel + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.5% | 46.1% | Carmel + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carmel
$570,592
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Carmel
74.6%
Carmel +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,592 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.6% | 65.5% | Carmel + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
370
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carmel
1719
Carmel +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1842 | Carmel + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
30.8%
Carmel +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carmel
9.6%
Carmel +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carmel
12.5%
Carmel +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carmel
4.4%
Carmel +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carmel
16.2%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carmel
8.2%
Carmel +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.8% | 40.2% | Carmel + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 14.4% | Carmel + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 16.9% | Carmel + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.4% | 21.3% | Carmel + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 14.3% | Carmel + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
51.6°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carmel
42.2 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 42.2 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Carmel
10.1 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carmel
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Waukegan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carmel
26.4 min
Carmel +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Carmel, IN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.4 min | 33.7 min | Carmel + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carmel leads in median household income at $134,602, 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 370 in Carmel. Carmel has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Waukegan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carmel scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.8%.
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