Columbia SC 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 33,889 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.6 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 49.9% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 39.5% | 11.2% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $239,865 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 40.2% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.4% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 21.3% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.3% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 33.7 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Columbia. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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