Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
906,480
Columbus +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 33,889 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.6 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 53.3% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 29.0% | 11.2% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Waukegan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 40.2% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.4% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 21.3% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 33.7 min | Columbus + |
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, Columbus 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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