Charleston WV 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)
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Charleston
47,918
Charleston +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 33,889 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 76.6% | 61.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 11.2% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $239,865 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Waukegan
40.2%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 40.2% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 21.3% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.8% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Charleston +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 33.7 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
Compare More Cities
Charleston, WV vs New York, NYCharleston, WV vs Los Angeles, CACharleston, WV vs Chicago, ILCharleston, WV vs Houston, TXCharleston, WV vs Phoenix, AZCharleston, WV vs Philadelphia, PA