Chesapeake VA 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)
Chesapeake, VA
Virginia · Population: 251,153
- Median HH Income$94,189
- Median Home Price$422,528
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
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
Chesapeake
251,153
Chesapeake +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chesapeake
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Chesapeake
37.7
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Chesapeake
6.1%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Chesapeake
56.2%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Chesapeake
29.0%
Chesapeake +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Chesapeake
3.7%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Chesapeake
7.4%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Chesapeake
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 251,153 | 33,889 | Chesapeake + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 56.2% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 29.0% | 11.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 7.4% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chesapeake
$94,189
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Chesapeake
$43,819
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chesapeake
$69,581
Chesapeake +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Chesapeake
4.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Chesapeake
8.7%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chesapeake
36.4%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,189 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,819 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $68,110 | Chesapeake + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.7% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chesapeake
$422,528
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Chesapeake
73.8%
Chesapeake +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,528 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.8% | 65.5% | Chesapeake + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
240
Chesapeake +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chesapeake
1726
Chesapeake +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 344 | Chesapeake + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1842 | Chesapeake + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
40.1%
Chesapeake +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chesapeake
16.8%
Chesapeake +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
8.2%
Chesapeake +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
15.1%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chesapeake
12.9%
Chesapeake +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.1% | 40.2% | Chesapeake + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.4% | Chesapeake + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.9% | Chesapeake + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 21.3% | Chesapeake + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.3% | Chesapeake + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chesapeake
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | 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.)
Chesapeake
8.2 µg/m³
Chesapeake +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chesapeake
75.0%
Chesapeake +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Chesapeake + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Chesapeake + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chesapeake
27.3 min
Chesapeake +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Chesapeake, VA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 33.7 min | Chesapeake + |
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, Chesapeake is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Chesapeake has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chesapeake scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.1%.
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