Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 33,889 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.6 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 20.6% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 28.4% | 11.2% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 16.4% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Waukegan
$68,110
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $68,110 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Waukegan
344
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Waukegan
1842
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 344 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1842 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 40.2% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.4% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.9% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 21.3% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.3% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Waukegan
33.7 min
Waukegan +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 33.7 min | Waukegan + |
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 344 in Chicago. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Waukegan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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