Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Durham
44.0%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 33,889 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.6 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 44.0% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 34.4% | 11.2% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Waukegan
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Waukegan
46.1%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.3% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 46.1% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Waukegan
1842
Waukegan +
| Metric | Durham, NC | 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
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 40.2% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.4% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.9% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 21.3% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.3% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Durham +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Durham + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 33.7 min | Durham + |
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 398 in Durham. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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