Cleveland 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 33,889 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.6 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 36.7% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 46.8% | 11.2% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $239,865 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 21.3% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 33.7 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland 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, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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