Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Waukegan
37.6
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Waukegan
20.6%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Waukegan
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 33,889 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 37.6 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 20.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 17.1% | 11.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 16.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $68,110 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 344 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1842 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Waukegan
21.3%
Waukegan +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 40.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 21.3% | Waukegan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Waukegan
35.6 in
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Elizabeth +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Elizabeth + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 33.7 min | Elizabeth + |
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, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
Compare More Cities
Elizabeth, NJ vs New York, NYElizabeth, NJ vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Elizabeth, NJElizabeth, NJ vs Houston, TXElizabeth, NJ vs Phoenix, AZElizabeth, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA