Colorado Springs CO 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)
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 33,889 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 37.6 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 72.3% | 61.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 16.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $68,110 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 40.2% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 14.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 21.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.3% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 35.6 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 33.7 min | Colorado Springs + |
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 512 in Colorado Springs. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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