Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 33,889 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.6 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 49.4% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 38.7% | 11.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 40.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 21.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Waukegan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 33.7 min | Cincinnati + |
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, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. 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, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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