Clearwater FL 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Clearwater +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 33,889 | Clearwater + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 70.3% | 61.9% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 16.4% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 344 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1842 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Clearwater +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 40.2% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.4% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.9% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 21.3% | Clearwater + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.3% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 33.7 min | Clearwater + |
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, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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