Clarksville TN 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)
Clarksville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 171,897
- Median HH Income$66,786
- Median Home Price$320,241
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+30.6%
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
Clarksville
171,897
Clarksville +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clarksville
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Clarksville
30.4
Clarksville +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Clarksville
6.8%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Clarksville
59.4%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Clarksville
23.0%
Clarksville +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Clarksville
2.5%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Clarksville
12.5%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Clarksville
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 171,897 | 33,889 | Clarksville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.6 | Clarksville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 59.4% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 23.0% | 11.2% | Clarksville + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 12.5% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clarksville
$66,786
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Clarksville
$31,266
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clarksville
$59,097
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Clarksville
6.0%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Clarksville
12.8%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clarksville
30.6%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,786 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,266 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.6% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clarksville
$320,241
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Clarksville
56.6%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,241 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
639
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clarksville
2350
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
39.3%
Clarksville +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
11.0%
Clarksville +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clarksville
21.4%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
12.4%
Clarksville +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.5%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clarksville
16.2%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 40.2% | Clarksville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.4% | Clarksville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.4% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 21.3% | Clarksville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
59.2°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clarksville
51.0 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.2°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clarksville
8.9 µg/m³
Clarksville +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clarksville
75.0%
Clarksville +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Clarksville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clarksville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clarksville
28.2 min
Clarksville +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Clarksville, TN | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 33.7 min | Clarksville + |
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 639 in Clarksville. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Clarksville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clarksville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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