Columbus GA 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 33,889 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.6 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 39.3% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 46.7% | 11.2% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $239,865 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1842 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Columbus +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 21.3% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.8% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Waukegan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 33.7 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Columbus. 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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