Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 33,889 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 37.6 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 41.5% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 34.1% | 11.2% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 16.4% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $49,019 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 46.1% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | 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
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 40.2% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 14.4% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.9% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 21.3% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.3% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 33.7 min | Charlotte + |
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 398 in Charlotte. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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