Elgin IL 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)
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
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
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 33,889 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.6 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 20.6% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 5.2% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 16.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Waukegan
$68,110
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $68,110 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Waukegan
65.5%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 65.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Waukegan
344
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Waukegan
1842
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 344 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1842 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Elgin +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Elgin +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Elgin +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Elgin +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Elgin +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 40.2% | Elgin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.4% | Elgin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.9% | Elgin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 21.3% | Elgin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.3% | Elgin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Waukegan
47.8°F
Waukegan +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | 47.8°F | Waukegan + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Waukegan
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Elgin +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 33.7 min | Elgin + |
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 344 in Elgin. 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, Elgin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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